IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)
I.C
U£ 1^ 12.2
■
I.I l"^ IM
1.25 i 1.4
1.6
<P
^
%
/2
^l
7
Hiotographic
Sciences
Corporation
33 WEST MAIN STREET
WEBSTER, NY. 14580
(716) 872-4503
CIHM/ICMH
Microfiche
Series.
CIHM/ICMH
Collection de
microfiches.
Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques
^
Technical and Bibliographic Notat/Notas tachniquas at bibliographlquaa
Tha Instituta has attamptad to obtain tha bast
original copy availabia for filming. Faaturas of this
copy which may ba bibllographically uniqua.
which may altar any of tha imagas in tha
raproduction, or which may significantly changa
tha usual mathod of filming, ara chacltad balow.
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
Colourad covars/
Couvartura da couiaur
I I Covars damagad/
Couvartura andommagia
Covars rastorad and/or laminatad/
Couvartura rastaurie at/ou paiiicul«ia
□ Covar title missing/
Le
titre de couverture manque
r~| Coloured maps/
Cartes giographiques en couleur
Coloured inic (i.e. other than blue or black)/
Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bieue ou noire)
I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/
Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur
Bound with other material/
ReliA avec d'autres documents
Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion
along interior margin/
La reliure serr6e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la
distortion le long de la marge intirieure
Blank leaves added during restoration may
appear within the text. Whenever possible, these
have been omitted from filming/
II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajout6es
lors d'une restauration apparaissant dans le texte,
mals, iorsque cela Atait possible, ces pages n'ont
pas M filmies.
Additional comments:/
Commentaires suppiimentaires;
L'inatitut a microfilm^ la maillaur axamplaira
qu'il lui a At A poaaibia da aa procurer. Lea dAtaiis
da cet exemplaira qui sont peut-Atre uniquaa du
point da vua bibllographiqua, qui pauvant modifier
una image reproduite. ou qui peuvent exigar una
modification dana la mAthoda normala de filmaga
sont indiquts ci-daaaous.
Thee
to the
I I Coloured pagea/
D
Pagea da couiaur
Pages damaged/
Pages endommagAes
Pages restored and/oi
Pages restaurftas at/ou pelliculAes
Pages discoloured, stained or foxe<
Pages d6colorAes, tachaties ou piqu6es
Pages detached/
Pages ditach^as
Showthrough/
Tranaparance
Quality of prir
Qualiti inAgala de I'lmpression
Includes supplementary materii
Comprend du matAriai supplAmentaira
Only edition available/
Seule Edition disponibie
I — I Pages damaged/
I — I Pages restored and/or laminated/
I — 1 Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/
I I Pages detached/
I 1 Showthrough/
I I Quality of print varies/
r~~| Includes supplementary material/
r~~| Only edition available/
Theh
possll
of th(
filmin
Origir
begin
the la
sion,
other
first (
sion.
or illu
Theli
shall
TINUI
whici
Maps
differ
entire
begin
right
requii
meth
Pages wholly or partially ob&cured by errata
clips, tissues, etc.. heve been refilmed to
ensure the best possible image/
Les pages totalement ou partiellement
obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, una pelure,
etc., ont 6t6 fiimies A nouveau da fapon A
obtenir la meilleure image possible.
This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/
Ce document est filmd au taux de reduction indiquA ci-dessous.
10X
14X
18X
22X
26X
30X
7
12X
16X
20X
24X
28X
32X
The copy filmed h«r« has b—n rtnroducad thanks
to the ganaroalty of:
Library of the Public
Archives of Cenada
L'exemplaire film* fut reprodult grice A la
OAnArosIti de:
La bibliothAque des Archives
publiques du Canada
The images appearing here ere the best quality
possible considering the condition and legibility
of the original copy and in keeping with the
filming contract specifications.
Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed
beginning with the front cover and ending on
the last page with a printed or illustrsted impres-
sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All
other original copies are filmed beginning on the
first page with a printed or iilustreted impres-
sion, and ending on the last page with a printed
or illustrated impression.
Les images suivantes ont it* reproduites avec le
plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition at
de la nettet* de rexemplaire film*, et en
conformity avec les conditions du contrat de
fllmege.
Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en
pepier est ImprimAe sont filmis en commen^ant
par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la
dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second
piet, seion le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires
origineux sont filmte en commen^ant par la
premidre page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par
la dernlAre pege qui comporte une telle
empreinte.
The last recorded frame on each microfiche
shall contain the symbol — »- (meaning "CON-
TINUED"!, or the symbol V (meaning "END"),
whichever applies.
Un des symboles suivants apparaltra sur la
dernlAre image de cheque microfiche, seion le
cas: le symbols — ► signifie "A SUIVRE", le
symbols V signifie "FIN".
Maps, plates. cha.<ts, etc., may be filmed at
different reduction ratios. Those too large to be
entirely included in ono exposure ere filmed
beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to
right and top to bottom, as many frames as
required. The following diagrams illustrate the
method:
Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre
fllmAs h des taux de reduction diffirents.
Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre
reprodult en un seul ciichA, 11 est film* A partir
de I'angle suptriaur gauche, de gauche A droite,
et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre
d'imagas n6cessalre. Les diagrammes suivants
illustrent la mtthode.
1 2 3
32X
1
2
3
4
5
6
r
'\
c
lUT
COM
AD
X A VIEW OF THE IMPORTANCE
X or THE
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES ; /
SHE WIND ^"''^
'neir' Extensive and Improvcable Resources
CA
AND FOISTINO OUT
THE GREAT AND UNPRECEDENTED ADVANTAGES
^ WHICH HATE BESM ALLOWED
To the Americans over our own Colonists;
TOGETHIll WITH
THE GREAT SACRIFICES WHICH HAVE BEEN MADE
UY OCK
LATE COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS
OP THE
COMMERCE AND CA RRYJ2\G -TRADE
OF
GREAT BRITAIN
TO THE
Unitttt states;: ,
ALSO XXBIBIT1NG *
THE POINTS NECESSARY TO BE KEPT VJ VIEW
rOR THX
FUTURE ENCOURAGEMENT OF BRITISH SHiPPIN(i
AND rOR
THE PROTECTION AND SUPPORT ^ ^
OF THE - f
COMMERCIAL INTERESTS OF GREAT BRITAL\
AND n En ■ *
NORTH-AMERICAN COLONIES :
ADDREaSED TO
THE RIGHT HON. GEOR(JE ROSE,
dfc. Sfc. ^r.
BY DAVH) ANDERJiON.
J.ONDOy.
PRINTED FOR J. M. RICHARDSON, 23, CORNHIl.I,,
OPPOSITE THE ROYAL EXCHANGE.
1814.
:
t
t
> •> *.'' ^
••• \ '»
«■
■»
JUafcbant and Calabii), Printers, Ingram-Coitrt*
FeiicIiiirc)i<Slr«et, Lunduji.
I
CONTENTS.
t
1
PREFACE ix
Addre»» to the British ship-owners and British colonists xi
Introductory letter to the Right Hon. George Rose,&c. xiii
General observations on the British North-American
provinces, shipping and commercial interests, &c. 1
Of the present state of our American colonies, particu-
larly theCanadas 36
Quality of the soil of Upper and Lower Canadsf 37
Climate 41
Inhabitants 46
Slate of agriculture • • 52
Population, and number of acres of cleared land 56
Quantity of grain produced 58
Canadian process in the management of flax 60
Concerning the cultivation of hemp in Canada • 63
Articles of export from the British American provinces 69
Of the enormous sacrifice of our shippuig and com-
merce to the United States, occasioned by the
great and unjust advantages allowed them over our
own colonists, &c. 75
Of the relaxation of our navigation-laws to the United
States 78
Of the admission of the produce of the United States
into the United Kingdom at the same rate of duties
as that of our own colonies 108
Of the unreasonable advantages allowed to American
ships in the countervailing duties charged by the
British and United States governments respectively 119
Of the inequality of the amount of the duties charged
upon the lumber which we import in general 137
u
I I
• ♦.
vi
CONTENTS.
i.
Of the admission of enemies property by licence 142
Of the hi^h price of our .ships and the Kreat expense at
which they are navigated, compared with the foreign
ships with which they have to come in competition
for freight 168
Of the extensive, vahiable, and improveable, resources
and capabilities possessed by our American pro-
vinces, as respects our shipping and commercial
interests 1C9
Quebec oak timber ibid.
Pine timber 172
Masts 174
Deals 175
Staves 178
The British North-American colonies capable of sup-
plying the mother-country and her other colonies
with timber 180
Capability of our North- American provinces to supply
our We3t-Indian settlements with agricultural
produce, such as flour, bread, grain, provisions,
&c. 109
Our Canadian provinces capable of producing hemp
and flax sufficient to supply the mother-country • • 230
Conclusion 236
The vast importance of our American colonies ibid.
Their comparative neglected state 238
Attachment of the Indians to our interest 241
Tlie British nation principally indebted to the North-
West-Conipany for the friendly alliance of the
Indians 243
Groat importance of the alliance of the Indians 244
The impolicy of which the British government has been
guilty in allowing the Americans to take possession
of Louisiana 248
Th<
CONTENTS.
Tall^ rand's observations upon Louisiana 240
Important circumstances which ought to be attended to
concerning the means which the Ambricans possess
for constructing A navy 274
The uniform hostile disposition of America anti the un*
pamlled increase of her resources require of us
the most prompt and <lecisive measures towards
her c 29(»
T»j I
> ^1
4
! APPENDIX.
Ne.
1. Canadian exports for the last ten years • 300
2. Value of the Canadian exports in the years 1800
and 1810, shewing their rapid increase • • • • 304
— Value of the exports made from our North Ame-
rican provinces for- five years, ending in 1810 • • • • 310
— <• Value of the imports of British manufactures
into those provinces 311
— Value of the imports into Great Britain from our
American provinces 313
3. British duties and countervailing duties 310
4. American duties and countervailing duties 318
6. The high price of British ships contrasted with the
price of foreign ships 320
6. The quantity of lumber, flour, provisions, &c. for
the supplying of our West-Indian settlements* • • • 321
7. Amount of the tonnage of ships annually built, and
also of the quantity of oak timber annually used
in Great Britain 323
8. Amount of the tonnage of British ships employed
in our trade with our North-American colonies,
with the amount of their earnings in that trade • • 324
I
\\
% , , ( j( III
in
l!
il
r> i«
Tl
CONTENTS.
No.
9. Tlif present importance of our colonies in America,
compared with the value which those we have lost
were to Great Britain, at the commencement of the
late American war 325
10. A compurativc statement of the imports made into
(ircat Britain from the United States and her own
American colonies 326
11. Compaiative statement of our exports to the United
States and her own American colonies respectively 328
12. Value of British imports, and the proportion of
which is made up of freight,— how much of such
freight is the earnings of British ships, and what
proportion of those earnings arises from the trade
of our American colonies 330
13. Value of British exports 331
14. The amount of the tonnage of the American ship-
ping exceeds that of all the British shipping em-
ployed in trade 332
15. Amountof the tonnage of British merchant shipping 333
10. Shipping annnally entered inwards in the trade of
Great Britahr, shewing the proportionate amount
of British tonnage, the amount of foreign tonnage,
and the proportion entered inwards in the trade
with our American colonies » 334
17. Shipping annually cleared outwards in the trade of
Great Britain, shewing the proportionate amount
of British tonnage, foreign tonnage, and the pro-
portion cleared outwards in thetraae with our North-
American colonies 335
18. The quantity of fish annually exported from the
British North-American colonies, and the quantity
annually imported into our West-Indian settlements 33ft
PREFACE.
^
^•*>9^^'^^ 0^0^^^^
THE author's principal motives for laying
the following pages before the public is, to
shew the importance of the Canadas, in order
to draw attention to their present perilous
situation, with a view to adequate measures
being taken for their defence ; and to point out
the errors by which the interests both of the
British ship-owners and North- American colo-
nists have been sacrificed to the Americans,
that the like mistakes may be guarded against,
in any negotiations with the American govern-
ment.
From several years residence in these colo-
nies, and his experience in their commercial
VIII
PRKFACK.
roiiconiH, and from tlic iiifoniuitioii ]\c Iuih
rolUvtrtl froiii variouH cliniinelH, hut particular-
ly tlu' inntfM'ials \\v had rolh'rltMl lor a StaliN-
iical Arcouiit of Caiiadn, which he has lu^arly
roady for puhliratioii, ho flallrrs liiiiisrlf he
has h«»oii niahlrd to i^oiuiiiuiiicalt* som<» vt'ry
useful iiiforiuatioii res|)ectnig their iinproveahh*
resources.
For much iiiforiuatiou which the author
has receive<l, he has particularly to ac-
knowledge his ohiigatious to JNathaiiiel At-
chesou, Esq. Secretary to the Coimnittee of
Ship'OMuers for llu^ Port of Loudon, hy whom
he has been favoui"ed with some very important
documents respecting the trade of our North-
American possessions.
However sensible he is that what he now
submits to the public falls short of what the
subjects treated of are deserving, the author
flatters himself that the facts he has stated, from
a variety of authentic documents, together with
his own observations, w ill shew the importance
of those colonies beyond any thinsr that has
liithorto appeared before the public.
. * . •» •
' ' ToTHi: '" '
IN II MUTANTS
lUllTISII NORTH AMKRICA,
• 11
AND I II K
juurmi sinp-oivNERS,
**»****■»** »* ^ *»»»
ALTHOUGH the author has drawn up the
following facts and observations with avierv, at
this critical moment ^ to advocate the cause of
British North America and British ship'owners,
whose interests and prosperity are inseparable,
he is nevertheless sensible of his inadequacy to
perform the undertaking in a manner suitable
either to the importance of the subject or the
deserving of his transatlantic fclloxv subjects.
From several years residence in the Canadas he
had an opportunity of duly appreciating the vast
and improveable resources of those colonies ; im-
p7X6sed with xvhich, and a warm regard and
f
ADDRESS.
attachment to the interests of their loyal inhabi-
tantSf he has been induced, however insufficient
his abilities, to endeavour to draw attention to
these important provinces; and, in the course
of this work, the capabilities and interests of
all the British North* American colonies, as con-
nected with the interests of the British ship-
ffivnerSy are particularly brought into view.
The sacrifices heretofore made to the Ameri-
cans, and the prospect of immediate negotia-
tion between the British and American go-
vernments, appear to him to render the present
a period peculiarly Jitted for discussing the inte-
rests of both ; and, he flatters himself that this
statement may not be altogether unproductive of
advantage to their cause. To further this
object, he ventures to suggest, that the British
ship-owners and North- American colonists should
come forward and lay before the British parlia-
ment a full deoelopement of the resources of
those settlements, that their important interests
may be duly appreciated and protected in any fu-
ture negotiations or commercial arrangements
with the United States.
TO THE
RIGHT HONOtlHABLE
GEORGE ROSE,
Treasurer of the Navy,
Sfc. Sfc. 8fc. 4
'■{f ';
it ''
Sir,
PARTICIPATING in the general esteem
in which your unremitting attention to the in-
terests of the commerce of this country, par-
ticularly of the British shipping, is held by all
commercial men, I have presumed to offer the
following pages to your notice, trusting that
the importance of the topics, which constitute
the subjects of inquiry, and the observations
they contain, will be accepted as a satisfactory
apology. It is almost superfluous to add, that
the value, the danger, and the neglected state
of our Nortli-American colonies, at the pre-
sent juncture, are matters of the deepest interest
;n-;
' ■ ,
n
1^ 1
,1
xu
INTRODUCTION.
to the British nation, and call most urgently
for the protection which your estimation and
ability enable you io -afford. ■
From the facts stated, it is obvious, that,
of all our colonies, those in North America
are by far the most valuable to this countr} ;
and, it is equally notorious, that, in the most
imminent danger, they have been left com-
paratively unprotected. Neither the matchless
value of their territorial properties, — the un-
paralleled loyalty and patriotism of their in-
habitants, — nor the vast and unexampled im-
provement they have lately made in British
commerce, has been adequately appreciated ;
but, on the contrary, and whilst the inhabi-
tants of Europe, almost with one voice, extol
our liberality, applaud our courage and mag-
nanimity, and hail us as their protectors and
delivers, these, the most valuable, the most
improveable of all our colonies have been left,
in a considerable degree, to their own efforts,
against a most inveterate enemy.
That our North-American possessions are,
in p^int of true national advantage, in the
INTRODUCTION.
Xlll
most eminent degree entitled to our consider-
ation, will, I trust, be shewn, by the following
pages, in the most striking view. For, as
to all the properties which render colonies
valuable to a mother-country, they, of all our
colonial establishments, rank the highest: in
point of present value they are of the first
magnitude; and, as to growing importance,
both as respects our commercial prosperity
and maritime power, they stand unparalleled.
The two grand motives for the acquisition
and protection of colonies are ; first, the
increase of our merchant^shipping, for the sup-
ply of our navy with men; and, secondly,
the vending of our manufactures. «'•••-'
With respect to the support of our shipping,
the amount of the tonnage of British ships
annually cleared out to foreign parts, the whale-
fisheries excepted, up u an average of the
last ten years, was 801,408 tons, upwards of
one-third of which was in the trade with our
American colonies,* whilst the shipping em-
• * See No. 17, in the Appendix.
ii U
"III \ I
W
'' It
l(f
I .'I
1,
i
I
V.
1
4
J
XIV
INTRODUCTION.
ployed in the trade with China and the whole
of our East-Indian possessions form only about
a twentieth part.
The amount of the earnings of British ships
in the whole of our imports from foreign ports,
upon an average, for the same period, was only
about .£7,212,672 ;* yet, such has been the
late rapid increase of the trade of our Ameri-
can provinces, that, previous to the conunence-
ment of actual hostilities with the United
States, two millions and a half arose from our
intercourse with these valuable settlemeris.")"
As a market for British and colonial pro-
duce and manufactures they have lately afford^
ed a demand for upwards of two millions and
an half for their own consumption, besides
about ^£3,000,000 for the supply of the United
States, in defiance of her prohibitory laws.
Thus, at a period when our merchants and
manufacturers were suffering the greatest dis-
tress, these colonies furnished a demand for
upwards of five millions sterling of British
* See No. 1*2, in the Appendix.
t See No. 8, ibid.
mauula
improvi
the ace
througl
prohibii
of four
wards o
for our ]
demand
sions, til
amounte
out any
Indee<
importai]
parallel.
war, th<
and col
and 10,3
that anni
exported
ing their
were aln
this dem
to £ 1,3
INTRODUCTION.
XV
maiiut'actiires and colonial produce. From the
improvement of their own trade, and, by
the access tliey opened for our commerce
through the strongest bulwark of American
prohibition, they have, in the short space
of four years, (1806 to 1810,) added up-
wards of four millions to the annual demand
for our manufactures, &c. whereas, the whole
demand for China and our East-Indian posses-
sions, through the East-India Company has not
amounted to more than about ^1,200,000, with-
out any probability of increase. . . i
Indeed, the late increase of the commercial
importance of these colonies has been without
parallel. At the conclusion of the American
war, their demand for British manufactures
and colonial produce was only <£ 379,411,
and 10,317 tons of British shipping were all
that annually cleared out from their ports with
exported produce; but, in 1806, notwithstand-
ing their rights and privileges as British colonies
were almost completely sacrificed to America,
this demand was increased from ^379,411
to ^1,381,718, and the shipping from 10,317
K\ !
■11
I
XVI
INTRODUCTION.
to 124,247 tons. Further, when Buonaparte
and Mr. Jeflerson destroyed the operation
of our own impolitic and destructive laws
and regulations, by which we had, in relation
to these colonies, sacrificed our commercial
and shipping' interest, they, in four years,
increased their imports of British manufac-
tures and colonial produce from ,£1,381,718
to u])wards of £ 2,500,000, and advanced the
employment afforded British ships from 1 24,247
to 309,394 tons. ' "* ' ' ' '
In this short period of four years inter-
val in the operation of the commercial regu-
lations, which had so cramped the natural
growth of the prosperity of these provinces,
the exports of timber increased from 95,975
to 31 1,1 14 loads, being an increase of 215,135,
evincing, in fact, a capability of increase to
almost any extent. This increase is nearly
double the amount of the demand of our
West-Indian settlements for lumber ; and, con-
sidering the many parliamentary inquiries
which have taken place upon the capabilities
of our North-American colonies in this re-
•* i1
INTRODUCTION,
XVll
ices,
1,975
135,
to
!arly
our
;on-
iries
lities
re-
spect, it is a subject of regret that the legisla-
ture should have been so far misled or mis-
taken upon a subject of such great national im-
portance. For, notwithstanding all the inquiries
which took place, the Americans were still
allowed to supply almost the entire demand of
our West-Indian settlements for this article.
As to the consideration of the supplies our
American colonies are capable of affording, the
fects I have stated make it evident, that they
have proved their adequacy to supply both
the mother-country and her other colonies.
This is a fact of the greatest national im-
portance, in as much as shipping is indispen-
sable to our safety and independence as a
nation. To secure the carriage of the timber
we import, from the immense tonnage em-
ployed therein, is unquestionably an object of
the first importance to the shipping interest.
The magnitude of the augmentation, which
might be made to the em ploy mem of British
ships, may be estimated by comparing the
amount of foreign tonnage annually employed
b
xvin
INTRODUCTION.
in importing lumber into the mother-country
and her colonies, with the amount of the
tonnage of British shipping employed, in what
is called the carrying-trade, which I designate
the importing of goods for re-exportation, and
carrying goods from one foreign port to another.
Upon making this comparison, it will be found
that the tonnage employed in the carrying-
trade consists of comparatively the smallest
amount ; and, if we except that part derived
from our own colonies, the tonnage employed
in the carrying-trade would be found to be
hardly deserving consideration.
But, however desirable an object it may be
to secure the carriage of this important article,
it is what we cannot effectually accomplish,
except the timber is furnished by our own colo-
nies. For that which we import from foreign
countries must, inevitably, be carried almost
entirely by the ships of the countries exporting
it, because of the enormous advantage that
foreigners have over us in the cost of their
ships and in the expense of navigating them,
which may be very correctly estimated, by the
INTRODUCTIOK.
XIX
rule laid down for that purpose in No. 5, in
Uie Appendix, and, in general, will be found
to amount to from 30^. to 50*. per ton upon
a six Donths' voyage. This disadvantage
could only be obviated by an adequate coun-
tervailing dut . But, to raise our counter-
vailing duty at once, from seven-pence half-
penny per ton to 30*. or 50*. per ton, might
be attended with some difficulty. For, al-
though no delicacy might be necessary with
regard to America, upon this score, she ha-
ving, instead of 50*. charged at the rate of at
least ^3 against us, yet, with respect to those
governments that have not hitherto charged
high countervailing duties against us, it might
be attended with some inconvenience.
This important purpose is, therefore, only
to be effected by obtaining the timber from our
own colonies : and the resources of our Ame-
rican colonies being commensurate to this
demand, we have it in our power, in one
single department of the direct trade with our
colonies, to add to the employment of Bri-
tish shipping an amount of tonnage exceed-
b2
]1
\ il^
h ii.
»
xt
INTRODUCTION.
ing tliat of the greatest extent of our pre-
sent carrying-trade, notwithstanding its vast
variety and extended scale.
In respect to foreign timber, therefore, under
existing circumstances, the interests of this
country, — the custom of other nations, — and the
example of our ancestors, require that it should
either be prohibited or charged with adequate,
protecting duties in favour of our own colonies.
In urging this measure, it may be observed,
that foreign governments, although they might
have a right to remonstrate concerning the par-
tial operation of such laws as we might enact
for prohibiting or rendering foreign produce
liable to high protecting duties in favour of our
own colonies, yet, in point of principle, they
have no right to bring them at all into discus-
sion. To be " put upon a footing with the most
favoured nations" is all they can reasonably
insist upon.
The criterion for estimating thfs protect-
ing duty is, the difference between the freight
and other expenses incurred in importing*
timber from our own cx>lonies and the fr^idit.
\
INTKODVCTION.
XX\
and expense incurred in importing it from fo-
reign comitrieSf to which an addition should
lie made to secure a preporulerance in favour
of our own colonics. As we cannot, consis-
tently with equity and justice, charge the tim-
ber of different countries at different rates of
duties, but must charge the same amount upon
all foreign timber indiscriminately, it is, there-
fore, necessary to compare the amount of ex-
pense on all the foreign timber imported into
this country, and take the expense upon that
imported at the cheapest rate, as a maximum
for ascertaining the amount of the protecting
duty.
Suppose, for instance, that the freight and
other expense upon timber imported from the
following countries, to be — from the British
colonies in North America, £6; from the United
States, £6; from Russia, £2: 15; and from
Prussia, j£2: 10 ; the difference between the ex-
pense of importing timber froni Prussia and from
our colonies in America, the one being J^2 : 10
and the other jC6, is .£3 : 10 ; and, suppose 5s,
per load added, to give a preponderance in fa-
■Mi
4
i\^\
n ■ ^y
xxu
INTRODUCTION.
\oiir of our own colonicH, £3 : 15 per load is
therefore the proteclinj;^ duty which ouj;hl to be
charged upon all foreign timber indiscrinii-
nately.
These remarks concerning timber may, per-
haps, he considered rather prolix. Upon con-
sidering, however, that, with respect to the ex-
pense of importation, the gross amount of the
present duty charged upon foreign timber is
not even sufficient to put our own American
colonies upon an equality with the countries
upon the Baltic, &c. ; — that part of this duty is
only a war-tax, to cease in six months after a
peace ; — and, that it is even probable that
foreign courts may be at this very moment
using their influence to have this duty reduced,
whilst our colonists and ship-owners may re-
main in ignorance of what is going on, till they
hear their fate in ihese interests for years to come
officially announced; — upon considering and
reflecting upon these circumstances, it is con-
ceived not irrelevant, but, on the contrary, re-
quisite that we should enter more minutely
into detail upon a subject, which, of all others,
INTRODUCTION.
XXIU
it must he adiiiittci), is of the vrry first iiiugui'
tude to the British sliippiiiu^-intcrcst.
The annual (h'niniid of our West-Indian set-
tlements for lumber is about
I47,27r> tons
For au^ricnltural produce about 7"2,4J)9
For fish about 32,(»0:J
Tl
lis 252,377 tons*
is sufficient to have loadedabout2IO,31.'>rei;ister
tons.j* Upon an average of three years, pre-
vious to the interruption of our commercial in-
tercourse with tbe United Slates, the Ameri-
cans furnished of this demand th(* enormous
proportion of 211,043 tons, with which they
must have cleared out at least 175,870 register
tons of shipping. By attending to the facts which
I shall state, it will be found that our own colo-
nics were capable of furnishing these articles,
in sufficient abundance, for the supply of our
! '4
I' , i
* See No. C, in the Appendix.
t Many of the vessels used in supplying the West Indies
with American produce are small sharp fast-sailing vessels,
which will scarcely carry tons niea«*urement equal to their
register tons.
^!
XXIV
INTRODUCTION.
West-Indian settlements ; and, consequently,
this privilege granted to the Americans was alto-
gether unnecessary. The adequacy of our Ame-
rican provinces to furnish agricultural produce
in sufficient abundance for the supply of our
West-Indian settlements, may, compared with
their resources in other produce, perhaps, be
considered the most questionable. The causes,
however, which I have assigned, for hitherto
preventing the improvement of their resources
in this respect, and the means which would
prove effectual in improving these capabilities,
so as to produce supplies adequate to all our
demands, will, I trust, be found quite satisfac-
tory upon these important points. Indeed,
the interests of the nation renders it the impe-
rious duty of his Majesty's ministers, on ente-
ring into any negotiations or conuuercial ar-
rangements with the American government,
adequately to inform themselves respecting
the great and improvable resources of our
North-American provinces, and detect the
mistaken policy of our late commercial regu-
lations, by which they w^ere sacrificed to
INTRODVCTIOK.
XJKf
the United States, so as to avoid similar er-
rors.
Amongst the sacrifices made to the Aioerif-
cans, the principal are to be found in the openv
ing of the ports of our colonies to their shipSt^rr
in the advantages allowed them in the counter*
vailing duties charged by them and us respeC'
lively, — and in the admission qf their produce
into this country, at lower duties tlian tlws^
charged upon the produce of other foreign 7iar
iions. In thefcie, the sacrifice of British ship*
ping, and tlie injury doae to British inerchantif
and British manufacturert^, and our North-Ame-
rican colonists, are immense.
Nothing, surely, could have been more im-
politic tluin to have allowed them to hav6 sup-
plied our colonies with masts, spars, square
timber, deals, or staves, or any otli .r descrip-
tion of lumber, considering our owji Vruerican
colonies are evidently capable of sii^)ijlying
even double the demand, both of the mother-
country and her colonies ; yet they were allow-
ed and even encouraged to supply our colonies
in every part of the world with these bulky
articles.
v.^
I ¥^•
i:«
»(
XXVI
INTRODUCTION.
ir'
Could the amount of the American tonnage
employed in their trade to our colonies in Eu-
rope, in Africa, and in the East Indies, be cor-
rectly ascertained, and adding the amount of the
tonnage of the lumber they imported into this
country to the 175,870 tons cleared out
annually in their trade with our Wesl-Indian
colonies, the amount would be found to be
enormous. There is no doubt but that the
amount of tonnage, which ihey employed in
these direct spoliations upon British commerce,
bore a very large proportion to the whole
amount of tonnage we employed in foreign
trade.
The injuries we sustained, by the trade which
the Americans w^ere allowed to carry on
with our colonies, was, however, not merely
confined to our shipping interest. Their inter-
course with our West-Indian possessions has
always been attended with smuggling: they
imported East-Indian and Chinese produce
and manufactures largely into these settle-
ments ; and smuggled out sugars in return.
In their trade with our East-Indian posses-
sions, too, they could import East-Indian and
INTRODUCTION.
XX VII
Chinese produce and manufactures in such
quantities^ and at, comparatively, such low
prices as to enable them almost entirely to
supply our West-Indian and North-American
colonies. It follovv^s, from their direct trade
with the East Indies, that they can import India
goods into the United States at a much lower
rate than that at which the like articles could be
imported from London through our East-India
Company ; consequently, vast importations were
made for their own consumption, which super-
seded a proportionate consumption of British
manufactures.
The duty charged, by the East-India Com-
pany, upon the American trade with our
East-Indian possessions has been, by some,
held forth as an equivalent for this privi-
lege. This is an argument too absurd to
merit notice. But, as it has been advanced
in support of the measure, even by some
of our legislators, it may, therefore, be ob-
served, concerning its absurdity, that it is no
more reasonable than it would be to exclude
British ships from the port of London and
.1 ■'
i
1 '
i
)
\a'1
If
1
i :
]
1
i
t
•
1
1
u -1
\
ii
n
XXVIll
IJVTRODUCTION.
endeavour to render tlic nieiisure palatable by
urging the imposition of a duty. The trade
must pay the duty, and whenever it or any
other trade ceases to afibrd a profit, after pay-
ing duties and otlier expenses to which it is
liable, it will, indeed it must, be discontinued.
The British government, therefore, instead of ha-
ving opened the ports of our Asiatic settlements
to the /Americans, ought rather to have opened
them to a general trade with the British islands
and strictly to have observed the law which
prohibited foreigners from any participation in
the trade of our colonies. For it is to these
wise laws, which were held sacred by our
ancestors, that we are indebted for ships,
colonies, and commerce.
The advantages allowed the Americans in
the countervailing duties charged by them and
us, respectively, will be found to have been
enormous. These res^ active duties were, no
doubt, about equal in point of per centage upon
the other duties charged: the Americans and
us charged 10 per cent, respectively; but they
differ
inouii
hund)
ers,—
per tc
Th<
lower
produ
nnjust
own C(
ping w
advant
t'Ontrai
<lisadv{
other f
privile^
exchuh
trade t
an undc
vantage
her witF
nish her
ber, fisl
uiciit in
INTRODUCTION.
XXIX
se
lU
O
m
differed widely, however, with respect to real a-
inount, — no less indeed than three thousand thret
hundred per cent, against the British ship-own-
ers, — our countervaihnj^' duty being about 22rf.
per ton, and that of* the Americans j£)3 per ton.
The admission of United-States produce at a
lower rate of duti(»s than was charged upon the
produce of other foreign nations wais equally
unjust towards other foreign nations and our
own colonists, as it was injurious to our ship-
ping interest. The United Slates gave us no
advantage over other foreigners ; but, on the
contrary, singled us out for many insults and
disadvantages. Then, surely it was ungracious to
other foreign nations to grant her this peculiar
privilege. Our IN or th- American colonists, being
excluded any participation in almost any other
trade than that of the mother-country, have
an undoubted right to look for a reciprocal ad-
vantage in the exclusive privilege of supplying
her with all articles, of which they could fur-
nish h^r with sufficient supplies, (such as lum-
ber, fish, &c.) and for adequate encourage-
ment in protecting tluties upon those articles
i.i;
■'«! I I
I , «■ n
in
I \ni
1-; *•
i 1 1
J
I !
XXX
INTRODUCTION.
of foreign produce, of which she could only
furnish partial supplies.
Now is the time to remedy all those evils
which existed in oiir commercial regulations
with America. And, indeed, it is to be
hoped, that his Majesty's ministers will not
put the United States only " upon a footing
with the most favoured nations ;" but that, in
their commercial arrangements with all foreign
nations, they will duly appreciate and protect
the vast resources of these colonies.
No news ever reached Canada, that gave
more sincere joy, than the remarl;, which
you made in the House of Commons, that
the Americans should be " put upon a foot-
ing with the most favoured nations." They
understood your meaning to be, that the
United-States produce was to be rendered lia-
ble to the same rate of duties as that of other
foreign nations ; and 1 sincerely hope, for the
sake of British commerce, the protection of
the British shipping-interest, and the prospe-
rity of our colonies, that their hopes will not
be disappointed.
mg
INTRODUCTION.
XXXI
in
hat
bot-
hey
the
lia-
►iher
the
of
)spe-
not
The public are already under many obliga-
tions to you, for your zealous and vigilant
attentions to the general concerns of the com-
mercial world, by which the ship-owners h?ve
particularly benefitted ; and I hope the follow-
ing pages will prove, that in no department of
British commerce could you more essentially
serve the commercial and shipping interests
of the country than by your consideration of
those affairs which relate to or affect the inter-
ests of our North-American colonies.
I have the honour to be,
with sentiments of the
greatest respect and esteem,
SIR,
Your most obedient and
very humble servant,
DAVID ANDERSON.
London^
March 10, 1814.
ti
•ih]
fl
•if 4
*!
i 1 1
!^f
Y
^aj-ii i—iM— tiiiMi II ■imiii I .^a
h *
'; \
I ;
\ t J , , 1
=1
i'i
I'll
1
1
il
I r 1) s t) N s I s
^■L. ^HM MM «■ MB ."iHCrrv^BriBM ■■ ■■"^^■r ^^w '^m -fiB' img^ ia» MB. ^hk wmr •■v
» A Y Q- . / ^
i>
<t^^^-''
■ (■ lull""''"'
' '. <$.
o
■•■'^•"-:"f,.. 'i ■'•ii^--"
.-^ --.^ " O ^ "
i/"
"^.
I'otoi'lu?
% £. CayiiMii
lit: iitytiuui
.faniii
ov^
'-»;:•'-..,..■ r.
;).'!"',
If .,
I IfF
I I
L
VALl'E AND IMPOUTANCE
OF THE
BRITISH COLONIES
IN
NORTH AMERICA.
CHAP. I.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE BRIIISH
NORTH-AMERICAN PROVINCES, SHIPPING
AND COMMERCIAL INTERESTS, ETC.
•S A
n '
The critical situation in which our colonies
in North America have been placed by the pre-
sent war with the United States ; the nej^lected
state of our shipping interest; the precari-
ous dependence, to which our West-Indian
colonists have, for several years past, been
often reduced, for articles indispensably ne-
cessary to their very existence ; are subjects,
B
r I
iiM
1 ''
r 1'
IMPORTANCE OF THE
:: I
wliich the circumstances that mark the pre-
sent period render pecuHarly interesting.
Relating to these important points, the com-
mercial connection which existed, and the in-
tercourse which has been maintained, between
the United States and our American continental
colonies, our West-Indian colonies, and this
country, previous to the late hostile steps
resorted to by the Americans, are topics, the
investigation and discussion of which are not
only of the greatest importance to the British
nation collectively, but to our ship-owners in
particular, and therefore constitute matter of
the most serious consideration for the legislator.
The marking features which constitute the
essential character of our North-American
colonies necessarily claim, in the outset, our
most particular attention. Their vast extent of
coast ; their fisheries ; their forests ; their rela-
tive situation with respect to the United
States ; their population ; the state of agricul-
ture and quality of the soil; their exports and
imports ; all these constitute collectively and
individually, subjects of most interesting con-
sequence, as well during the continuance of a
war with America, as with reference to any
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
a
treaty which might be in contemplation for the
termination of the present hostilities: more
especially, as a well-directed line of policy
towards these valnable possessions would
imdoubtedly call into action their numerous
and hitherto much-neglected capabilities, and
thereby promote the various interests involved
in the important subjects above mentioned.
Perhaps to the statesman, who has an eye to
our domestic policy, most of the general and
some of the particular points of local informa-
tion respecting these provinces may be familiar ;
but, as far as relates to the shipping-interest,
and the various commercial connections which
these general points of policy involve, there
are so many minute details regarding both the
geographical and statistical character of these
provinces, — so many local peculiarities fami-
liar to those only who have experienced the
practical result of the former, and had an oppor-
tunity of examining the properties of the latter,
that communications upon such topics, from
persons adequately informed, may not only be
found useful to the merchant and ship-owner,
but to the statesman, either in vigorously
prosecuting the war, or in negociating or ar-
b2
i
.< I
11-^ i
■ I i ^ M
I
• 'i
fi.i
4
IMPORTANCE OF THE
ranging a pacific or commercial treaty, the
most acctirato inforn^ntion upon such points is
absolutely indispensable.
With regard to our shij)ping interest, for
example, the statesman may be aware of the
established custom and sound policy of im-
posing a countervailing duty in favour of our
own ships, in order, as far as possible, to se-
cure the carriage of tlio raw material which
we import ; but, without correct information,
and a strict attention to many minute circum-
stances, which can only be thoroughly known
to and correctly conmiunicated by ship-own-
ers, or others intimately acquainted with the
shipj)ing-interest, he may commit the most
egregious mistakes. For, in the absence of
snch minute information, or from not properly
discriminating between interested communica-
tions and the fair statements of those who are
unbiased by any secondary considerations, in-
stead ^f securing (as he may have imagined)
our ship-owners interest in the carriage of such
commodities, he may have actually agreed to
a preference given to the ships of foreign na-
tions. — He may, in the arrangement of com-
mercial treaties with other powers, have sacri-
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
5
licod the interest of our sliip-owners, as here-
tofore, l)y conteiitini^ himself, upon the one
. hand, witli a countervailing duty of thirteen
pence per ton, or the hundredth part of the
freight, in favour of our own ships, (See No.
3, in the Appendix) ; and, upon the other
hand, by agreeing to a countervailing duty
of c£3 per ton, in favour of the ships of foreign
nations, (See No. 4.) — lie may be possessed
of a large share of general information regard-
ing our American provinces ; but, in order
that he may be enabled duly to appreciate,
protect, and encourage, the improvement
of the valuable properties of these colo-
nies in any negotiations concerning them,
it is absolutely necessary that he should
know the existence of many minute and im-
portant circumstances, of which it is evident
our legislators have been hitherto ignorant.
For instance, he may view the supplying of
our West-Indian islands with American pro-
duce from our own colonies, as a very desiralile
object; and may, therefore, feel inclined to en-
courage it ', but he shouUl also know, that even
after the question, whether or not our American
provinces could supply our IFest-Indian islands
m-^ u
' \''' S 'S
V .1 I
;' i^'iii.
^sn
I I
JrT^
'i
:i I
'' ■ !
i . <
"■I
6
IMPORTANCE OF THE
mthjiour, lumber ^ 8$c. had been frequently dis-
cussed in the British parliament, that flour
still continued to be carried from the hanks of
the St. Laurence to the ports of the United
States, to be there shipped in American ves-
sels fo*. these very islands-., and that lumber still
contmued to lie rotting in the ports of our
provinces, for want of a market, whilst these
islands continned to be supplied with the
above articles from the United States ; other-
wise, how could he guard and secure our ship-
ping and commercial interests in legislating or
negotiating concerning them ? — He must know,
as a maxim of general policy, that it is
expedient we should protect and encourage
our own fisheries ; but it is highly important that
he should also know, that, whilst the Americans
were encouraged in supplying our West-Indian
islands with fish actually caught and cured
upon our own coast, by authority of the British
government, our own fisheries laboured under
the greatest difliculties in finding a market.
I certainly do not pretend to give all the ne-
cessary information upon these subjects, but
shall endeavour to point out and make a few
remarks upon some of those of the most mate-
WW
(I :l »
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
rial importance, in order, if possible, to lead to
their complete elucidation by others more com-
petent. Indeed our ship-owners and mer-
chants at large are called upon at this critical
period, to communicate the fullest information
to Government concerning our shipping, — our
American provinces, — and our West-Indian
colonies, — in order to put them sufficiently
upon their guard against these important
interests being again sacrificed, as they have
been by former commercial treaties.
Hitherto, from some strange misconcep-
tion of the reciprocal interests of the mother-
country and her transatlantic possessions, the
British government has been in many respects,
actually legislating for the advantage of
America, both before and after the disgrace-
ful commercial treaty, which the Americans
threatened and frightened us into, in the year
1794, which operated in their favour until
lately, when, fortunately, a period was put to
it by their insufferable encroachments and un-
bounded ambition ; — actually legislating in fa-
vour of those very people, who, as soon as
they had, by her fostering care and protection,
Required sufficient strength, rebelled against
P f^'ii(v
i I
r JiM
i '4
! ' I'
n
IMV'ORTANcr. OF THR
i .
t
I :
hn\ iiiid siiccrVdinjn* in assi'ilini; llu ir iiulr|H'n-
Ht'iicr, Ixraiiic, a\u\ liavo Ikmu liitiu rto, \wv
i>itt
irrst ninnirs ; — iii iavoiii' ot Aiucnca, Willi
illi
whom w'v an» now al war, and who looks at
our (vxljiisivi^ and iuiproviiijH' ooh)Ilil^s alont; her
fronlirrs with a jrah)ns vyv, straininj;' cvt'ry
iHMVo to wresi iVoin ns \\ivsv most iinpori.ani
pojs^t'ssions, llu' IrnuH' of whiih, wi; in a i»roal
nirasnre owr to I ho loyalty and palriolisiu of
thoir iniiahitanfs.
Ain( rica is lhoronj;T.ly aware of the value
and n'rowini;- importance of these colonies,
and shapes her eonrse accordingly ; she knows
that wluMi the mother-country is under a state
of seclusion from the continent, these colonies
are capahK of supplying: h^*** with various
articles of the most material importance, — with
articles for which, althonjrh essential to her
ditical
(j
Hi
never
the-
'Xistence,
less been dependent upon Uie precarious sup-
plies of her very enemies.
But exclusive of these advantajjes which the
mother-country derives from the natural pro-
duce of these possessions, we must look to their
growinn* importance to her as a market for her
mauufactures, which, for want of demand,
' t '. ii
li
innrisu amkhk an coloniks.
;i ^
liavo of laic yv'ATH bfMii at liiiujs rottiiifj;
ill unr wiiie]M>iiHt'M, and conyLMjiuiiUy many
oi' our vahi:i))l<; au<l iiuliislrioiiH iiM>clianicH
were ninhnul ilrslilulc of lluir iisiial iiuMins
of siipporl, and liurehy exposed to lliat spirit
of ri(»l and dis<(>nl«'nl, wliicli li;is so lately
convulsed the northern counties, and spread
confusion over districts whi(!h, previously to
lhes(? disastrous occurn^nces, had been the
scene of connnercial industry and domestic
<:oniforl.
1 have already observed, that one of the
main objects, which 1 have in view, is to
draw attention to the critical situation of
the British provinces, particularly the Cana-
das, in constM|uence of the pn^sent war. I
shall, therefore, l)y way of shew inj( their iiripor-
tance to Great Britain, in order to stimulate
her to ade((uale measures for their defence,
take notice o*" the topographical characteristicH
of these colouies and several features of do-
mestic policy, with re^fpect to their relations
with the mother-country, with the British set-
tlements in the West-Indies, and with the
United States, which appear of most essential
consequence, to be minutely investigated and
»*.«(.
s'.t
/' I
I ,: .
lii
I; \\
1
1
t-
10
iMiMMii VNn tiK rm:
iniHini'lx nnisHii ird. \\\\U rrlrrmrr In iiiiv
lU'UodtHions. (or i)i«> trnniiiiilioii ol lioNlililiiM
VU
il
»rs«< onsrrviilhMis, liourvd'. mil lir imhimm
hM)«' ('ui't)in- \\\\\\\ \\wvv\\ In inijMrMH «lifiliiH lly
nn«i nuphiHinilly Mh' iin|)or(>iiirr (iT llio miiIi-
liHornmlion of this kind uill. no donlil,
inix'sonir MiM^hl ni \\w <'sliinnlion ol our Ir^is-
\;\U
ois, \\hni('><r urivolinhons lor prurr wilh
Ainnirn shidl l»rin |»n»un'NH : NUf*li iiirnrniiilioii
is. iudrrtl. ;d>soluloly nrrrssiiry. in onlrr lo
nsrrvl;\ni tho uiMniino i\H«M'rslM, ttolli ol* llu' mo
1)
lor-toinUrv axu
\ ol 1)
\o\' rolt)nH'M 1 MS. \villioiil
n
rorrorl knoulrdiio ol' snrli piniifMiliUN. it
wonhi l>(Mn))M>Nsil)lo to {\n'\\\ nny ndiMinnto idra
o( \]\v r\l« nt \o wliirli tlu\v nii^ht l»o rmdrnd
;n:\i);^l>l(' to iUcM l^rituin, nor \\\\\\\ polili<*id
tH jiu]:Ui«>ns >vonld lio Ixst r!d<Md:)l(Ml lo rouso
into :u tion ;nul iiiv«^ Inll play to tluNr most
\»nport;mt adxantogi^s, uhich tin so colonios
possoss.
That tho op<n';di(* \ >A' ]»oliti<';d roji'nlalions
or l«^i:i>vl:\tiv(^ onacMn^ *- \m\\c Inthorto Immmi so
inucl< tuisri>nri i\(Hl and misdirootod, as lo
iu)p;\ir niain ol' thoso vahiahlo (Mpahililii's
inhv lont iii those provinces, and the prineipU^
V
Illllll'^ll AIMIMK \N Mif.nMlM.
ft
l»y \> llM ll lIlI'MI' IIMImI IIM|Milll|r IMDMUriM liiivr
lirt II <liii'( Inl liiiM Im I'll iiiiuli IM-Itrr rtilrii
liilnl Im pioiiiolr ||m> iiilcii'MlM i;! IIm AiiMri
MIIIM. \\
llM h
II
itivr, I'Vil' Hiiirr llMir iimI<|m iKhiirf
il<
Imm'Ii niir Nil III riii'iiiy, iiiiil iit'c iiMw in o|M<fi
liosliliJY Nvilli iiH, lliiiii oi IImmc roloiiirM, or
^Hi'iil llrihiiii, JM >i poMilinii, vviiirli il m my
iMi Mi'iil nlijirl lo Miili'<liiitliiili<.
Ill illiislniliii;; lliiwr iiili imI» il olmirvjilioriM,
:illlioii(;li I kIkiII indrcil ^<im rtilly hiki notirr
ol" III! Ilir lom hriliMJi ^tnts/turv**, y» I, ;m Mm
(DtiiiiMliis (nnii ill jMi'Mciil Mm- |>tiri(it>>il ol»|r<' 1.
oj* jilliM'k l»y Mir AimricJiiiM, him! roiiS!li>.ilr, in
iiiiiiiy n's|M'f-lH, llif! iiiohI, iiriporhiiil <>( our
Aiiiniciiii |ioHH<'HHioMH, I mIuiII \ii- iiturc |»;ir-
lirnhir vvilli irHprrl lo Mirsr provirir^^H.
Till, imohI imporhinl ;i(lvjifiljij!;<"« vvliirfi <]\h-
Mii^nisli Mm' HriliHli coloniis in Aiiurirji ur*'.\\tf'.
vsimI \\Ui\ inixliJiiislilili' TomsIh of vjiliiahh; Mrn-
Imt wlii<;li alioiind lliroii;:;fioiil. Mi*; wfioU; ; Ihfi
rxcrllnil ijiiulily of Mi« hiricl vvliirh prf(lr>mi-
nnlrs, piirliciilarly in Mk; (j.in.'ifhH ; anrl Mk;
' lift
4''!|l
1
1
^ .1. '
t I
r'5
I !
it
) J
^
I !
f <
i
i
f
' '
I
12
IMPORTANCE OF THE
^;»;
V.
/ 1
extentive variety of productive fisheries which
surround their coasts.
Upon reaching Quebec, in ascending the
Si. Laurence, the country begins to improve
in point of fertility, and upon reaching St.
Anns, which is sixty miles above Quebec,
a tract of the finest and most fertile laud in
America, commences upon both sides of
that river, and continues upwards to the ex-
tremity of Lake Superior, being a length,
from St. Anns, of about Jifteen hundred miles.
Unquestionably this vast extent of country,
advancing in such rapid progress of improve-
ment, — the superior quality of the soil, and
its other important advantages, have excited
the envy and jealousy of the government
of the United States, and had the most
powerful influence for commencing the pre-
sent war. My own opinion is, that their
cupidity for these colonies has been a much
stronger stimulus, than the ostensible pretext,
relative to the impressment of their seamen.
The American government is fully aware that
the produce of all that part of their territory
which lies upon the St. Laurence and the
i\r
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
IS
"n )!'
Lakes, from Lake Chaniplain upwards, must
be exported through the river 8t. Laurence ;
and that, by tlie same channel, the inhabitants
of that extensive territory must consequently
])e supplied with foreign produce and manu-
factures.
The Americans, no doubt, conceived this the
most favourable opportunity, which would
ever occur, for wresting the Canadas from
Great Britain : for, hitherto, the people who
inhabit the northern parts of the United
States, are, as will be made appear here-
after, still in complete ignorance of the ex-
tent to which they can be benefited by having
the English along their frontiers ; and from
hence, they more easily become dupes of their
own government, respecting misrepresentations
of their interest in this respect.
When the Americans see an extent of up-
wards of 1200 miles of their frontier-settle-
ments, now closing in union with those of the
English colonies, and are thoroughly apprised
that this is a door opening to British com-
merce, which will not only prove profitable
both to the English and their colonists ; but
also know, that it will prove advantageous to
' 'l|.,..!,
,; ¥{H
HI
II: i
1',.
i
•"tf
/:;
I
I I
I'
1 1;
I
\4
IMPOHTANf F, Ol' TFIR
all siicli of their own rili/<>tis ;ik iiili:iliil liial
extensive <'oinilrv alonu, llie (^niadian iVoiilierhi,
and liierefori' know llial at any ailer period
it ini^iil he very <lit]i(:nll, if nol inipossihie, to
iiidnee that |)ortion of their population to lake
a i)ari in a war so contrary to their interest;
lliey have for these reasons, therefore, eagerly
embraced the iirsl opportunity that olfcrcd
for conunen(!ina: hostilities.
Although tlie j^eographical position of
our American provinces is sufficiently pointed
out in the maps, yet, as some importjint in-
ferences are intended to be drawn from their
boundaries, and also from their extent of
coast, compared with that of the United States,
I liave thouji^ht it expedient to enter into the
following statement : —
The extreme length of Nova Scotia, which
extends from the gut of Canso to Cape Sable,
is about two hundred miles, and its breadth
about ninety.
The province of New Brunswick extends
from the bay of Fuiidy to Chelleaure Bay,
HKITISH AMKUICAN COLON IKS.
li
In'uiir its extrt'iiic l(>ii;;tli, which is also about
two hiiiMhMl inih.'s ; and its cxlniiM' hnadlli,
from tilt' ^ulph of 8l. Laurence to Ihe line
which divides the province from the stale
of Main, is about one hundred and twenty
miles.
l)f these two provinces New Brunswick
only borders u|)on the United States; the
leui^lh of this communication is about two
liundred and twenty miles.
The province ol Lower Canada extends from
the mouth of tlie St. Laurence, upwards to
St. Regis, about sixty miles above Montreal;
being a length of about six hundred miles,
upon that noble river, from whence it derives
many of the important local advantages which
it so eminently enjoys.
On the south it is bounded by the British
province of New Brunswick, and the states of
Vermont, and New York. From Cape Ilo-
ziers upwards, for more than one hundred
miles, the country consists of barren rocky
mountains, and is therefore unsettled ; but be-
yond that distance it is settled to the upper
extremity. The breadtii of this part of the
province lying upon the south side of the St.
r
!«■
I fu.
' rt
16
IMPORTANCE OF THE
f
I 1
Laurence is very irregular ; its greatest breadth
may be about one hundred miles, and the
average perhaps about sixty.
That part of the province Avhich lies upon
the north side of the St. Laurence has Upper
Canada for its upper boundary ; the division
line between the two provinces commencing
from the St. Laurence at a point about twenty
miles above the mouth of the river Ottr^va.
Its eastern boundary is the Labradore coast ;
and its northern boundary-line Hudson's Bay.
The extent of this part of the province, upon the
north of the banks of the St. Laurence, (being,
from the border of Upper Canada down-
wards to the islands of Mingan, in the mouth
of that river,) is about seven hundred miles.
Of this extent, however, there are not more
than three hundr^^d and fifty miles settled:
the settlements only extending downwards to
Rock Bay, which is one hundred miles below
Quebec.
The province of Upper Canada is situated up-
on the north side of the river St. Laurence, Lake
Ontario, Lake Errie, Lake Huron, Lake Supe-
rior, Lake of the Woods, &c. and from thence
upon a line undefined to the Pacific Ocean.
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. H
From Lower Canada, along this inland navi-
gation, which is so singularly convenient,
beautiful, and extensive, to the extremity of
Lake Superior, is a length of about thirteen
hundred and Jifty miles of an almost uninter-
rupted continuation of a fine fertile soil, and
in every respect a most delightful country : a
very considerable proportion of this extent,
however, is still unsettled. The settlements, at
present, only extend to Detroit, which is situate
between Lake Errie and Lake Huron, being
a distance of about five hundred and fifty
miles from the border of Lower Canada ; but
the fine climate, the superiority of the soil,
and the conveniences and advantages of local
situation, are such that the settlements are ex-
tending upwards very rapidly.
It appears, therefore, that from Detroit, which
is the uppermost of the settlements, downwards
to their lowest extremity, at Rock Bay, which
is one hundred miles below Quebec, is an ex-
tent of about nine hundred miles settled upon
the north banks of the St. Laurence and its
lakes : this, with the above four hundred and
fifty miles of the lower province, inhabited
upon the south side, makes the whole extent
' !i«. 1,
''%m
1/
n
;^ 1 1
'•^ ,1'^
i
! U
I:
IB
liMPOKTANCF. OK VWV.
of tho srtthMnonls of Ihr I wo Oaiuulas, lyini;
upon llir banks of tlir Si. liunrrnro jumI llic
Lnkos, ahonJ ihiricoi huudvai otui Jiflinnilvs.
'V\\v poHsossioii of sni'ii an inuui'nsc rxliMit
of (oiuilrv, upon Ihis inland navi;;;alion, so ad-
vanlap'onsly silnalr for roinnionMuI purposes,
is no<M\s.s!nily of \\\v first inipoiiancr lo (irral
Hrilain
^1
\\ IS ini|)oiianl to lakr notico of lUo t;iTat
IfMinlh of iVoniirr hy wliicli tlu'so provinces and
Iho llnitrd Stales ooiinuinnoaio with each other,
in order lo shew lh(^ connnercial facilities and
those niosl important and jx rnianent advanla-
iies. \>lii( h lliis extendtul connnunicalion is cud-
eidattnl to alford to British connnerce ; which
will more adeipiately enahh* us lo judi»c how
tar these ciror.mstanees, and lhe» rapid i^n-
provement oi this part of the American fron-
tier, have ronsei' the jealousy of the United
States and prom|>ted them to the conunence-
ment of hostilities.
Cousideriui; the i^Toat length of the line of
frontier, by which the British provinces com-
1^,
■J (
I 'i
nurrisH amkuican coi.oNiivS.
If)
niimicalr vvitli llir United Shilrs, no Inifn.in
power cjui prevent jiromnirnM', liiijjiily jhIvimiIu-
lj.eouN to Ihe Hrilisli, heinuj <5irrie(l on helween
Ihe Iwo eonnlries: — ;i eonnneree, wliieli to uh.
il<
I p;r(
►wnjjT
t'onsnierni!; (lie irreut extent lujc
prosperity of the ronnlry eonslitntintc tlirse
front iers, niiisL be Ji perniiineni, sonree of
vvesillli; l)nt pnrlienlarly dnrin*;^ limes ;incl <;ir-
(Ministnnces sneh us w(^ luive lately experi-
(Miced, dnrinjii; the period (Mir most invetenile
enemy lias suecc^eded iii sliuttinijj ns onl from
tin' eoiiHiieiit of Europe.
This iiderconrsc! has heeii hithrrto limited,
from the immtMiMi- tract of unsettled land which
flivides the Iwo countries, haviiij^ heen con-
fined to a few roads of cominnnication, and
th(!se few even very inconvenic lit : the fjuan-
lity of hritish manufactures hitherto introduced
into tli(! United States has, therefore, notwith-
>slandin!j, this ex fended line of frontier, been
comparatively small ; the same circumstances
have also had the same eft'ect ou the transpor-
tation of produce by the Americans to the St.
J
^aurence.
The demand for British maimfactures in
these colonies Las been hitherto indeed little
c 2
'■ 1
St;
)f; •
i
u
.- 1
20
IMPORTANCE OF THE
moYo. than for the supply of the inhabitants ;
but, as Iho selth^nents ,jf the British colonies
an<! tiio United Stales have now bejsjun to meet
throuj*hout an extent, of upwards of 1,200
miles of their frontier — a length greater than
the whole extent of the coast of the United
Slates, from New Brunswick to Florida, a door
is thereby now opening for the introduction of
British manufactures, to the United States — a
door which, whilst the British keep it open, by
encouraging the commerce which it gives ac-
cess to, America can neither, by prohibitory
laws, prevent the introduction of British goods,
nor, by embargo, hinder the produce of that
vast extent of country from being transported
to the shipi)ing-ports of the St. Laurence, — two
objects of the lirst importance to the mother
country.
Such parts of the frontiers of the two coun-
tries as are settled are rapidly encreasing in
population, wliich is also daily acquu'ing an ac-
celerated accumulation by continual emigrations
from the eastern states, not merely to that part
of the United States, bordering upon Canada,
but also into these provinces.
The immense extent of American territory.
MRTTISH AMF.RICAN COLONIES.
21
just enitM'i^inijj from a ilroiiry wildrnif ss into a
fine fertile country, upou the vory frontier of
the British cohjuies, — upon the navifjfuhle wa-
ters of the St. Laun^nce, which must inevitahly
carry its produce to where it can only he ship-
ped hy British merc^hants ; and, from wlience it
can only he carried hy British ships, has, as 1
liave before hinted, excited in the American
govermnent a degree of jealousy of whicli few
people are aware. For that j^overnment, as
well as the governments of the continent of
Eurojje are not ignorant of the profit and
sound policy of securing, as far as possible,
the carriage of all their own produce, and
also of grasping all within their reach of the
carriage of the goods of other nations.
They know that as the overflowing of a
fountain, after answering the specific purpose
for which it was opened, finds out the channel
most congenial to its current, so the surplus
produce of this new and fertile country, al-
though hitherto almost absorbed by the great
demand, arising from the vast influx of settlers,
must likewise, in large quantities, push its
way through the most convenient channel to
another market : tluiy also know that this chan-
i
,. \
;:i|l i
22
IMPORTANCE OF THE
r:
nel must ))e llio St. Lnnroncr ; and, roiiso
qiieniiy, thai tlie markets nins» necfissnrily be.
those, in which neithcn* their niereluints, nor
their ships can be employed in the exporta-
tion of prodnce ; and j»re, therefore, sufficient-
ly apprised that the British must exclusively
enjoy all the advantages resultinj^ from this fine
country, hitherto unknown, but now rising
into importance.
Thoroughly impressed with these advanta-
ges, and the increasing importance of these co-
lonies, to Great Britain, the United States
will, during the present war, make propor-
tionate exertions to obtain possession of them ;
or, at the period of hostilities, endeavour, by
some commercial treaty, to get them again sa-
crificed to their interest : but the mother-coun-
try, from motives of the soundest policy and
regard to seh-interest, is bound to make com-
mensurate exertions to defend these valuable
colonies in time of war, and protect them in
their legitimate privileges in time of peace.
The following may be considered a few
of the advantages whicli Great Britain derives
from this great length of inland navigation
and extended coumumication between the
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
2S
Im
;w
fes
oil
ho
United Stales and tlie British provinces, viz:—
The river St. Laurence and the Lakes must
be the principal channel for the connnerce of
the countries upon both sides, as well the
American side as the Canadian, both in the
export and import trade: as long, therefore,
as the British hold their present possessions
they must exclusively enjoy that trade. — The
inhabitants of the British colonies pay almost
iio taxes, whilst their neighbours, the Ame-
ricans, upon the opposite banks of the river,
are liable to heavy taxes and other public bur-
thens : our colonists will, therefore, undoubi-
edly continue firmly attached to the govern-
ment from which they enjoy this advantage.
British manufactures, &c. being admitted into
Canada, duty free, whereas they are liable
to heavy duties in the United States ; and the
St. Laurence being the shortest and cheapest
channel by which these countries can be sup-
plied with foreign commodities, the Canadians
will thereby have the supplying of the Ame-
ricans who inhabit the country upon their
frontiers, with British and other foreign
manufactures secured to them. This exten-
sive frontier will prove a door always open
4
f'
.11
I'U
M !•;
y.l
f I
'■!
- i
94
IMPORTANCE OF THE
SBBSS
to llif iutroduclion of Kritish iiianufHcUires,
in sjiite of i\u\ most riji^id riiactnu'nts of th«
American govornment to the contrary; and,
moreover, the hij^her the duties charged by
the Aine.ican government are, either to an-
swer pecuniary purj) rses, or, to encourage
domestic manufactures, the greater will l)e
the encouragement held out to their citizens to
evade them by snuiggling : the higher the
duties, therefore, the greater will be the ad*
vantages enjoyed by the British over other
foreigners by this exclusive door of access.
And should x4merica at any future time, as they
have at some former periods, charge a liigher
duty upon British than upon other foreign
merchandise, the diHerence, instead of exclu-
ding our manufactures, will only operate aa
a countervaluing duty in favour of the Cana-
dian importers and the British ships, as well
as prove an additional inducement held out
to their own citizens to evade the duty. For,
certain it is, that ^11 the revenue of the United
States is not sufficient to keep up a custom?'
house establishment, sufficient to prevent
smuggling by means of this immense door of
access, provided the American duties, as I have
observed, constitute a sufficient inducement.
niUTlSU AMERICAN COLONIK8.
26
'J'he lu'iu'iils %vliic'h will result to the Cuua-
(liaiiH, iis well Jis I lie other colon istH, ijowever,
from the enjoyiiieiit of their rightful privileges
in reH|>ect to (he exportation of their produce^
will ^ive them hy liiv the in08l important ad-
vanln4;eH over the Americann ; namely, in
securing to them the supplying: of our Wesl-
iBiiian coloiiies with American produce, — and,
in charging the same duties upon American
lumber and other produce imported into the
mother country as upon that of other foreign
nations ; — these fair, just, and legitimate, pri-
vilef^es secured to our American colonists, —
privileges which too vitally concern our ship-
ping interest,— will do more towards securing
the attachment of our American colonists than
all other advantages united ; — nay, nwre than
all other favours \yhich the mother country
has it in her power to bestow upon them.
• : ( .
■(; :
fi
In modern times, when navigation is found
to be the principal source from whence flows
the riches and independence of nations, or at
least the channel through which these valuable
,1
1 ,
"Id
IMPORTANCE OP THK
^■.1
11
I (
blessings arc\ in \hv. inosl ciintiml (lep^-rr,
derived, of all the proporlies which cliarac-
terise any country, liio extent of coast and
the navij^able ihcilities which it affords are
the fu'st in importance. <
' Concerning our American provinces, there-
fore, it may be remarked as a most important
iiict, that the extent of navij^able shores of
inhabited and fertile rountry, accessible to
ships from sea, is j^reater than that similarly
naviprable in the possession of the United
States, fr .u New Brunswick to Florida.
In explanation of what is meant by the
term shore, or coast, (so far as rej>ards this
comparison,) such only is intended, as will
admit of ships of three hundred tons register
measurement ; a burthen sufficiently large to
carry produce to foreign markets at the lowest
rate of freights. ' '
The extent of shores of the settled ami
fertile territory of the continent of North Ame-
rica, belonging to Great Britain, amounts in
the aggregate, to 1310 miles.* ^ ' •'■•^
* In estimating the extent of the navigable shore of the
British colonies, I have reckoned from the River St. Croix.,
BRITISH AMKRIOAN <:C>i4>NIRS.
mmmmm
Tliis is a greater leii^tli of iiavi};:iblo count
than that which was lost by the last Aiuoric^u
■'\ ■ {
'I ,'
rie-
in
the
which divides th« province of New Brunswick from the
State of Main, round the coast of Nova 8cotia, through
the gut of Canso and along that part of tlie coast of New
Brunttwick and Lower Canada which frontu tiie gulph of 8t.
Laurence to Cape Roziers, making a length of DUO miiea.
From Cape Koziers, upwards, to Montreal,
upon the south side of the St. Laurence, 580
From Montreal, downward^, upon the north
side of the St. Laurence, iu H^ck-Bay,
which is one hundred miles below
Quebec 280
Altogether amounting to 14 10 miles;
being two hundred and ten miles more than the whole extent
ol that part of the coast of America, lying between the
Hiver St. Croix and the Hiver St. M^ry, which ww> th« whole
extent of sea-coast possessed by the United States, previous
to their purchase of Louisiana from the Spaniards.
It will be observed, that this statement comprehends only
the shores of the continent, and (except the space which
lies between Cape HozierK and C4pe Chat, being about one
hundred miles of rocky mountains,) sucli parts only of the
country as are settled and tit for agricultural purposes.
It appears, therefore, that, after deducting the one hundred
miles of barren mountains above Cape Chat, the extent of
shores of the settled fertile country, which their colonies
comprehend, is 1310 miles.
,:il
I •
lOlXj
{
n.
'I 'I
t '< ■■
: i
28
IMPORTANCE OF THE
war ; and, estimating^ its value by the commer-
cial facilities which it affords, is comparatively
much more valuable than an equal extent of
the United-States coast, fronting the Atlantic
Ocean.
This comparison of the navigable coast of
the United States, with that of the British
possessions, in front tf such parts of the
country as are capable of agricultural im-
provements, may be objected to on account
of part of the one being the shores of the
River St. Laurence, and the other open to the
Atlantic Ocean. Such objections, however,
will be removed, by inspecting the map of
the country and chart of the coast ; for, by
drawing a line upon the former, at some given
distance, (suppose one hundred miles,) and
in such a direction, that it shall not exceed
the proposed distance from such parts, (whe-
ther upon the coa«it of the Atlantic, or up
bays and rivers,) as siiips of the proposed di-
mensions of three hundred tons can find
safe harbours, it will then be found, that the
difference is greatly in favour of the British
possessions in point of territorial extent, bene-
shorc!'
\l
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
89
filed by such navigation ; and still more in
favour of the British possessions in point
of the quantity of superior soil so bene-
fited. Such parts of the coast of the United
States, (or indeed of any other coast,) as are
completely open to the ocean, afford no har-
bours to any description of ships. It is in
bays, creeks, mouths of rivers, or under
shelter of islands, therefore, that harbours are
exclusively to be found. And when we no*
tice, that we are considering these with re-
ference to ships of 300 tons register measure-
ment, it will be found, that neither this, nor
any other coast open to the sea, will afibrd
harbours for shipping of such dimensions but
at very considerable intervals, — in many parts,
intervals of several hundred miles. It is the
commercial facilities which the harbours af-
ford, that constitute the value of the sea coast;
without these conveniences mere extent is of
little importance.
Estimating by this criterion, it follows, as
a necessary deduction, (which, as already ob-
served, may be demonstrated by mere inspec-
tion of the map,) that as far as relates to the
shores of the St. Laurence throughout the
;■ !',;;(■
i> ti-
I. :1
AJ
r!
■' ,(
M
hi
I '■
: I
" 1{
/I
.1^
30
IMPORTANCn or THK
whole extent of that part of it, whicli has been
inchided in this estimate of 1310 miles of
navigable coast, fronting agricultural territory,
scarcely a mile can be found, (with the excep-
tion, perhaps, of about fifty or sixty miles
situated immediately above Cape Chat,) in
which tliere are not road-steads to be found
wliere ships may ride with safety.
With regard to the comparative advantages
to be derived from foreign shipping, a far
greater extent of surface of country upon the
banks of this river is therefore benefited in
this respect, than upon a like extent of the
coast on the main ocean.
The possession of this improveable country
and its navigable shores, guarantees the peace-
able possession and uninterrupted occupa-
tion of the whole coast of Labradore, of
Newfoundland, and of the nmnerous islands
in the gnlph of St. Laurence. These im-
portant and impr<^veable coasts altogether
amount to several thousand miles of the
most productive and vahiabie fisheries ; —
fisheries, which, to any country, would be of
immense importance, as wtII on account of
the maritime facilities which they aflTord, by
il
^ k 1\
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
31
being- a nursery for sailors, &c. as on account
of the pecuniary purposQB and convcniencies
to whicli they are adapted ; and, therefore,
tlie possession of them to Great Britain, by
so far securing her own maritime resources,
and preventing the aggrandisement of that of
other nations, are invaluable.
The countries which form these extensivei
fishing-coasts, consist generally of barren-
rocky mountains, the barren and inaccessible
nature of which, protects and encourages the.
prosperity, and actually secures the value of
the fisheries. Such fisheries, situated in front
of fertile soil, would be comparatively of
small importance ; the cultivation of the land
would, no doubt, divide the attention of those
employed in the fisheries ; a variety of pur-
suits would inevitably create an irregular de-
mand for labour, so as to complefely disorga-
nize the necessary machinery of an extensive
fishery ; under existing circumstances, however,
po such inconveniences need be apprehended.
Notwithstanding the general inaccessible
nature of this fishing-coast, there are, how-
ever, to be found in the mouths of rivers, &c.
places of sufficient ext(?nt to admit of suclr
1
i
• 1
'\
''
)
■ 'I
,. I'll
i..
)
^U
if
■•m-i ii
'11
^ i
, \
?'t
^ »
M
ni
IMIMlMMNcr', Of Tlir,
HB
ias
lownw niifl villHj>«'« ns iitighl )tv ikm fmwui v Tor
llu» <*i>nvrnirn<M' of \\\r limhrrirN.
of tliow* rtslirn«*M. — ^uanlfMl iipnii IIhmmip harul
liy hor ffMTrt-lhmn fn>NN«'s«ions in llinl ^pinrhT,
wrnl upon Iho fithrr l»y Ium* f»ow«Mfnl llrolM;
and «lo ni>l njinin rodo w Hhnrr <if flicni rilhrr
U> ihr lM*rnrh. Ann^rinuifx. or any ollin* powrr:
— if ?»Ih\ also, hohi Ihr fmr Irvt'l iMunilry whifh
9\\o noTi' |>oHsr!<«NrN n|»on flio liMnk!»» of \\\o
8l. liUuronro i\\u\ \hv LnkrN nl»ov«' Qnrlx'f',
without asirtin Kharklin:^- tho induHtry fillirr <»f
Xhv utHxlumn who rlrars its foiTNis; of IhiMiilti-
vatorof its frrtih' phiins ; or, of Iho fish^Tinari
who hostowN his nttontion upon th»'si» profhirtive
ttshori<\s : — if, nu>v«Hiv« r, sho prohihiis all iulor-
rouiNo hj'twron our Wost-ln<han islands anri Iho
DnittMi Statt^s : and onforcrs a roj;nlalion of
tho dutios upon tho tind)or sho in>por(s iVoin
ct^untrios othor than tVoui hor o>vn oolonios, ml-
culatod to pnuuoto lur o^n shippinii-intorrst.
the grow int: prospority I't' lln\s<» oolonios woulci
not onlv UToatIv auiinnMit hvv rosourcos, and
prtwe a safo jjuarantt (^ of '\or niaritimo powrr
and indopondtnoo, hut tho mutual bcMulits,
which the om^ colony would derive from the
^^ ht^
lllUriMll AIMIHirAN roi,oNir«.
an
Hil^
nllirr, would hIko ItimI ^nMilly In N»r»irr to lur
H (MiiMMiiMirY <*i }ill IIm<m< int|M»il>iiil iidvMii
iti^rM Tlir irn|Mo< ily n^ iiih irsi lli.il will IM
<-OI|M4 IjIMIMT ( ilMllillr }iniMII!^ III! Ill* IMIIIl» roiiH
<'|jiHH«'H, wliirli ',\ vaiirly o( |Mir,Miiil'^ <lmliin,rniKli
llirnii(;lMMi| Iter rolniiUM, iimhI ii« f rKHiinly pro-
llioir III IIm III MiK li II linn iilhit liiiM III mm will
jH'ovr IIm' mrMJi".!! posKiltIr H«'«'iilily <»1 ll»»'^<'
|)OMHrMmoilH.
n
i<< iiiiir
k<h
w
IimI.
won
M
llinrliy lir ojm im<I iiinl f;rri(r< <l lo lli«"^» pro-
viiircw, woiihl iiispiH' rvriy rli»<-M ol HOMily
wi
I'll Miirli >i Hpinl ol nilnprisr ;iii(l f im ri^y i\n
Would srI rvciy liiiiiK It ol iiidii'dry in iri<»hon,
rur<n I r;i{i; 11 iL» ;iiid siippoi liii;j, < ;m |i oIIki, Iikr
llir < oiiHliliinil purls ol u w* II * «»iislrin led
|ii<>n' ol' niarliiniiy
(>iiiployiiMUl, lo llic wood'iiiiin ;iiid iln lallKmuri
llir liniiMi h.ulf, I'lVKH
III
ir rxporhilioii ol ^raiii, Hour, <vj'. mid prf>vi-
HJoiis, <!ii(;ourjipi;iii|:, llir ;i;:^ri( iillimMJ ; fin r;x-
poiiiilios* of lisli iiiid oil, (:oiiwiiiiniralin{< frrsli
( iHi'ny lo IIm' indiisjiy .of llu- Ii-Ih ruKiri ;
and llu' iJ^r.'Uid nsiill ol' Ifn; vvli(»|<', viclrljri
fr
Lliiindi
nice ol prolits ;irid iiiiiohurifril-, Ut f>jir
iiu;r(;li;nils, und airordinp; <inf»loyiiHiil lo our
.sliippiii2;, would tli(!rel>y c ontrihiilc lo Ihc ad-
vaiil,aj5<; oi all (;la.ss«;s in lli(jsr; proviij(:<;.s, hh
^
f l»
'}' Ifi li
4
;U
iMiMMt TANrr t»i run
s t
ut'll ns lo tbi» rnronrnj^rinriit ol (lie rninnH'i-
rinl roiirrrn.M oC llir mollwrronnlrv
ri
ir
lli
niMinnjJ \ho niutMltntity niul iiMMMivrninirfH
x^huh \\w\ \u\\o liilliiMlo <loiio ill olihiiiiiiif^
supplio.oi ol /Xnuiir-.ni pnMliirr, moiiM rrcrivr a
rognliir ami ;il>nii(iMiit siipply. l''oi. iiiuln pjiuIi
■A \\\U' o(* poljf V, lUiiiiy of tin* very sirlirlrH, pnr-
tii ularly flour, iiistoiul o( briiiii Nliipp<Ml IVoni
Ihr p'.^Vts of \\\o 1'uiIjmI Slulrs, iiihI<m- llir nvs-
t« ni o( in:\H!iii' lurnl uhirh piN^vjiilcil pr« vioiin
to lh(* Am<Mir;in <Muliari>o('M. S^r. utuild l»o
shippril i\'o\\\ [ho ports of (l\o Si. Iiaiirnur.
.md ilu lohy j>ro\nl<' lli(> Hritisli proviiiros wilii
[\\v \\\os[ aniplr rrsonrcrs Tor llio supply of
Ihoir sislor rol«nvi(\»; in iho Wc^sl-liulirs. INot
only tlio inhaliilants of Iho roiilinontal pro-
Mnr<^s (luM'( fol«\ l>\il also our WosI Imliaii rolo-
msts. liratoful tor tho l)(Miofils atlordiMl l»y lliis
varioly t>f pursuits ami <li\(Msity of iiitorosts, so
t sst ntial to tluMr j^tMicral convcuiiMioc aiul pros-
pent), ami l\>r \>Iui'li, hriuu thus roiul»iut'<l,
orp\ui/<Hl. and prot<'ct<"l, t'u\y nuisl tool iiulcbt^
tnl to thtMuotluT-oouuiry, would, from llu^ most
j>o\verfiil iuipulso. soll'-iuftTrsl, <'liorisli tliomost
o-ouuine loxallv aud aH'oction tow.u'ds lu»r.
*H
iiRi'iiMti AMi.nrf'AM roi.oNrr"'^.
'I'luiH r»ir willi irs|iM| In llir ndvnnti^M s jm
m
F)(>NRfM| l>y IIm> Hi'ilir;l| rolniiirN, uh fur mh r* l>ih-M
to llioir gco^rnpliirnl |inMili<>ii suifl rMiiiiiM>rrif>il
ruriliiirn: IIh* ii(«\l olijtwi, mimI IIip (i;rMl in iifi-
|M>rttiiir(\ IN liirir jModii. r ami iiiiUiiiiarhiirH
■ f
i '
i
■
1
D 2
m
ii 'i
i
M
ic
I
JO
rMPORTANCE OF TKR
(HAP. II
;) .*
.i!
,1'
I
»■
ir
OF THi: PRRSENT STATE OF OUR AMERICAN
PKOVFNCES. PARTICULARLY THE CANA-
DAS, — THl'IR SOIL, CLIMATE, INllAHIT-
ANTS, STATE OF AGRICULTURE AND EX-
PORTS, ETC.
In order thai a moro. adequate idea may bo
formed ol' those j»reat advantages, which the
iiionur-country may derive from the vast re-
.sources inherent in these provinces, particularly
the Canadas, through the medium of her ship-
ping and manufacturing interests, I shall here
take a cursory view of the qualiti/ of' their soil ;
of their climate ; of their inhabitants ; and of
the state of agriculture. My observations up-
on these, however, shall be carried no further
tlian is necessary to assist in forming opinions,
concerning the discouragements which these
RKITtSII AMERICAN <;OLONlES.
ni
provinces \mvv laboured under, and the im-
provealde eapahilities wliich they j^ossess, in
re^spect to ihv. ■,iUu\e inijiorlant soiu'ces of
national wealth.
r
P-
ler
IS,
ise
QUALITY OF THK SOIL OP UPPER ANIJ LOWER
CANADA.
From the river Little IVIetis, which is about
two hundred miles below, upwards to 8t.
Anns, wliich is about sixty-five miles ab(we
Quebec, the country, although not mountainous,
(except upon the north side of the St. Laurenco
below Quebec,) nevcrllKless forms a verj-^
uneven and irregular surface.
The kinds, of which the soil consists, are of
great variety ; being in some parts a very light
saiidy soil upon a sandy or gravelly bottom^
and in other parts a strong clay, with almost all
the variety of gradations which are to be found
between these two extremes. Tliere is, how
ever, a much larger pro[»ortion of the very
heavy sort than of the very light : indeed,
throughout this tract of country, wliich is an
extent of about two hundred end sixty ^he
\^.¥:h.\
tiH
.It
,38
IMPORTANCE OF THE
!!l
' {
7niles upon the banks of the St. Laurence, th«
soil, with respect to kind, consists generally of
a siroiig loam upon a sub-soil of red clay or
till.
Wi!' regard to quality ; supposing the soil
an ai;:!4< ' into four distinct rates, there is not
nnu li of t'e best or first rate; neither is there
much of the worst or fourth rate ; the average
may be considered to be about a njedium be-
tween the second and third rate qualities*
* In regard to the short description, which I have given of
the soil, in order that a true and correct idea may be formed
of its quality, it is necessary to state, that the scale by which
I have formed my estimate in this respect, is the quality of
the land in Great Britain, divided into four distinct rates.
And further, to avoid the ambiguity and obscurity so general
in descriptions cf ihe qualities of land, I think it necessary
also to state, that, in Judgin^fl; of the quality, the intrinsic or
natural fertilizing capabilities are alone kept in view. For,
if the vicinity of large cities, navigable rivers, or any external
inij)ioveniont.s were to be taken into consideration, and the
soil rated according to its value, there would, under such
circumstances, be no certainty of ascertaining the precise
description of the soil, although the rate were stated. As
for example, a third rate in the vicinity of a large city might
be let at as liigh a reut as a first rate quality at a considera-
)t>le distance: or one farmer by proper management might
k 1
'vr
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
31)
Idera-
liglt
From St. Ami's, upwards, to the border of
Upper Cauiida, which is about sixty mih'S
above Moutreal, l»einj>f a Ierij:;th of about one
hunched and seventy-five miles upon botli sides
of the St. Laurence; and from the border of
Lower Canada, upwards, to the extremity of
the settlements of the upper province at De-
troit, beinj[^ an extent of about five ..Midred
and fifty miles upon the north bank, of "3 St.
Laurence and the lakes, makes, fr< f. Ann's
upwards, a length of about seven liundrtd and
ixventy-Jive miles of a beautiful ani. Is vel coun-
try. The general characteristics of the face of
the country, throughout this vast extent, afford
but little diversity in point of appearance. The
kinds of soil, however, consist of considerable
■variety: but that which mostly prevails is a
strong deep loam, which in many parts con-
raise, upon a third rate, a crop doubly fertile compared, with
that which migiit be raised upon a first-rate soil, by anotlier
inferior in skill and industry. But as neither of these cir-
cumstances could essentially alter or bring about any perma-
nent change in the fertilizing capabilities, which these soils
naturally and intrinsically possess, it would consequently be
absurd to rate them, in point of quality, according to theii
respective values, or present state of fertility.
hvi n\
"^'1,
il
'
5 !(»
k
I •'
!l
\r
I If!
10
iMi'onTANrr, or Trir.
sisis ol* SI luixhiro oC rich \Aiw rljiy ;ni»l (Vi'.jUlp
rnrlli : this is ;i kind olwoil, which, in whiilcvrr
i-ouiili'v it is rnniid, t;('Mn':illy coiiHlitiilcs that
ol the Itcsl (jiialitv.
A hirnc p.-oportioii ol llii.** vaHl extent of
(•(Mintrv is of tlie /irs/ n//r iiunlifi/, niid the
;iv(Mai;e of tiu' wlioir nuiy l>e f<;iid to he vxcel-
luit. '
Kiclvoninjj to tlu' depth >(' nhont Tirty
luiles tVoin tlie St. LaiinMK'e and tlie LnltCR,
(wineii <l<'ptli would iiielndo all tiie land yrt
iiranted l>y th<» British i;ovenunenl.) perhaps
there is sear<'ely lo he Ibund, either in l^nropp
or Anieriea, a tract of country, equal to this in
ext«Mil, whi(h comparatively contains so larp;e a
proportion of alirsi rate (piality of land ; and cer-
taiidy there is not, inanyotlu r part of the Mniled
States, e\cej>tinn- Louisiana and other parts
upon the west side of the Ale^;any mountains,
and u|)on tlu^ banks of the St. LaunMice and
its lakes, an equal extent of territory, wherein
(nen one-third of the quantity of tirst rate soil
would be foiuid. Indeed, in many parts of this
vast coiHitry, there are occasionally to be tb\nul
uninterrupted tracts of land of a tirst rate qua-
lity, even to the extent of a hundred miles in
\\\
"m,
BKITISII AMER^AN COLON! Kfl.
41
k'!if;lli ; wlirrctN, in tiiost coiiiilrirH, oim -lliinl af
that rxiciil (it an iiiiiiitnriiptrd raiii^i; ot Huch
t(iiaiily JN rarely to Im met with.
i 1
1»
TLIMATK.
■ M
'I'liF', climalc of any parlirnlar country onjijhl
to Im> (!.sliinalrcl in proportion l<» llir licallliy,
aji^nralilr, iitid Crrjili/in^ prnp< rlirs, vvImcIi it
poHsrHscs: liic rliinafi^ of Upper and Lowi-r
Canada enjoys IheHi; advarila^eH in an cinineni
dciL'n'C!.
. Tho Nnnnncr, indeed, is exireniely hot; hut, a«
the atinospticire is reinarkahly clear and pure,
the heat is llierelore not
eiiuiales vvliere tl
sultrv.
The winter is intensely (M)ld: f)nt, as th«^ frost
continues without intermission durini:; winter,
and generally with a clear sky and a line <Jry
air, it is thereby rendered hoth healthy and
pleasant; the cold beirii^ infinitely less pene-
so oooressive as in
'IM
le an* is more close
:irM
Iratini*" tlia
J
lOiTif
g-y
n moist clirnales.
weather is very littl
e experience;
so
far up the country as Montreal; or, indeed,
.11
1
(•
i<i|
•i; ,))•
=.^''
'N
\,
: i
J
H ■•
' f\
5 !•
t!
■*i
M
f!
»(*
II
it
iMrowTANrr <»r iiir
nnirh farllirr np Ihnii Qiirltoc, luul llu ro only,
OiMnsionnlly in N|>nn(L». Hiil. «lo\vn llu' riviT.
pailtrntarly lo>v;»nls its iiiotitli, r;istnly >viiuls
:n*r iin:ui:iM> iiHriHitMl »illi iliirk (o!;s.
Tl
10 spnni; soIn in uilli ;i rlnir s
U
«ky,
niH
I tl
\v
i\\v gonniilly ronlinnrs iVosly nnlil IIk' hiiow is
i]\\\\c m>nr VUv snow is, llirn lorr, prinripiilly
rarritMl oi\'h\ \\w ravs ol'llio snn ; lor il is Inil
srMoin llial nahiral lliaws arr innrli r\|MM*iiMi-
orJ, until [\\v snow is roinplrlrly raniiMl oil".
n
nil stMdoin ( ontinnrs lonu al a tiiiH', in lh<
III
wprini; ; <^Mrpl in llir monntainons «lislri«'ls.
rin^ sprini; in KowjM' (lunula sris in railirr or
lal(M\ in any parli(Milar |>laro, as il is liinlirr or
low rr upon llio Ui\«»r Si. liannnro; and lliis.
(noil 111 llio saiiio paralU'l oT latitii(i(\ Ixiiiji;
«\irli< las lluM'onnlrv <^\l<Mi(is lo lln» wrslward.
As tln^ <'()unlry al tlio inonlli oTllio Si. Laii-
nMiro is >oiv nionnlainons. and loss so low aids
llio W(^stwanl, so in proporlion \\\rrv is less
rain and lOii'ny nm'uIIk r, as \\u) coiinlry oxhMids
in that diiwlion; tin* sprinj;-, imloo«l, s(«ls in
•li
oarlior, and tho rinnato is in »ntMy r(\spo<*l
more aiiTooal)l(* and favourahlo to agrionltnre,
in any partinilar place upon the St. Lanivncc,
in proportion as it is (iistant from tlio soa.
llHiri.^ll AMrilK AN (OI.ONir.N.
4.1
III Mpniit;, |)h< litiid iH ^rriMTJilly fil (or |iIoiil(Ii-
iii|( UN Ndoii iiM il IN ( Inn- (roiii snow. l'*or, iiol-
williHliiii(liii^ llir Hrvnily nl" llir IVomI. iI flnr«
liol pciirlnilc (lrr|» iiiln ilir ^roiiiMl, wliirli in
pi'oli><'l(Ml (Vniii ilN Nrvrrily, hy tlir hiiow f';illiii^
ill roiisiilci'sililr <|iiiuililirH in llir riirlicr |»irl oi'
tlir wililrr. \\y llir liiiir, llM-n'lorr, lliiil tin*
HIIOW (liMiipiM'SirN, IIh' (iohI in ;iIn(> ^riMTHlly
(|iii(4> ^oiir. Tiir HIIOW (-oiiliiiinii^ iip(Mi \\\(}
land (iiiriii^ wiiilrr is a <'ii-riiiiislinK'(> rnniirk-
iilily ill (avoiir of rjill-wlMsil, ("jill-ljiirs, or
c'lovrr, wlii<!li iiuiy luivr hrni h(>wii willi lli«»
pr('(^(*<liii^ rro|) : (or, coiiliiniiii^ niilil u \i\\r
period of lli«« spriiiju;;, it llinrhy prevrnts llnssr
<ropN (roni JMin^ rxpos* d to a Hrorcliinj; hiiii
tlinMi^'li tlir day, and (Vosi during (lie iii^ld;
alt(;rriatioiiH oC wrallirr vvliicli oj^cjisionally
occur rarly in tlir spring, in ail lalitndrH liahU*
to frost, tu)inotini(>s pulling up sinh of tln^sr
(TopH as may he so I'Xposrd, l»y IIm; very roots;
a < irrunistanrc not inifrerpunt in (iniat Bri-
tain. As has hfM'U already f>bserved, rainy
wcatluT in the springs seldom continues lon^ at
A tin
I ho i\
the
ners are therefore sc^ldom ?in<ler
necessity of harrowing in any of their seeds
■ ' 'fill
1: III
44
IMPORTANCE OF THE
■S 'i
r. :
n >
' li
whilst the ground is wet, which is a circum-
stance of material consequence in agriculture.
Indeed, the seed of all kinds of crops being
harrowed in dry, is an advantage of ihe first
importance, but more particularly in the cu^
ture of hemp and flax.
Hoar frost but seldom occurs in spring,
which is a circumstance very favourable to
every species of the earlier green crops, such
as hemp, flax, pease, early potatoes, and a
variety of others.
During the summer season, and also the
fall, rain or thick weather seldom continues
more than two or three days together ; not often,
indeed, more than one day at a time : a most
material circumstance in favour of making
clean summer- fallow ; raising fallow-crops ;
making hay ; and performing the necessary
ojiorations in the management of hemp ; as well
a,s other agricultural avocations.
During winter, the thermometer fluctuates
from 2-3° above zeio, down to 28'', and some-
times even as low as 30° below that point.
But, when such an intense degree of cold occurs,
it seldom continues lonsjer than two, or at mo^'t
int.
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
45
three days at a time ; and such severities sel-
dom occur more than once in a season ; and,
perhaps, in only one season out of two or
three: the greatest degree of cohi is generally
felt in February.
There are not, perhaps, above two or three
days .a the course of the winter so intensely
cold as to prevent ship-carpenters, and other
workmen employed out of doors, from follow-
ing their occupations : this circumstance af-
fords one of the most convincing and decisive
proofs, that the cold in Canada, compared with
the cold in Great Britain, is not by any means
experienced in a degree of severity proportion-
ate to the degree of cold shewn by the thei-
mometer
Throughout the season, there is a much
greater proportion of clear weather in the Ca-
nadas than in Great Britain ; even in the neigh-
bourhood of Quebec, and about Montreal
and in Upper Canada, where the country is
less mountainous and more remote from the
sea, the proportion of clear weather, compared
with that experienced with a clouded atmo:
sphere, is still greater. Upon the whole, the
cHmate of the Canadas, compared vvjth tlie.
•,^
•; a m^
'rt I'i'v'
1 -I
1 ^.■■;
n:
h
40
llM1»<>in'AN('F, or THK
rliniMlr o( (iH'mI Hni'.ni), is (M|u:illy nt;rri;ihlo;
<<{n:)lly lavouiahlr to sigritMiUuro; and aciiially
iiiOH' lualllu.
INHAinTANT.S.
if
^ t
Tur population of llio (^ana«l;iNis <'Oinpo.s(Ml
<>t' \hv <irs( ( ixlanis oC iho I'niu h roloiiistH,
who inhahitiMl Canada ai \\\v coiupirst, and
tMniarants (ro»n \hv niothrr-ronntrv and Ihr
IhiiUnl Ntati's ; p(Mliaps tlio drsciMnlanls oC i\\v
Frrmdi i'olonists (uuislilnfo thror-fonrilis or
fonrldlhs of lh<^ wliolo popnlation.
As no ronsns has hcvu lixkvu sincn Iho v<'Mr
«
178,*^. it horonios inipossihio to slato a<'ruratrly
what thr ]>opnlation at pn s« nt is.
IVIr. Harriot, in Ins History of Canada, roni-
pntt^s the popnhition of tho h) w(t provincp at
*2oO.(>(M). a net that of th<^ n))prr province at
80.000. in 1808: tliis computation Jam inclin-
ed to lliinlv, from th«* opimons wlii<Mi I liave
heard npon the subject, is rather nnder than
over-rated.
However, taking this stat<Mnent of Mr.
ilarriot's as a true estimate of the popnhition
« ii( h
<<>ni
and
nflh
(hey
dcali
met
or hu
econo
d»istri<
It is
Ihese
of edi
l\
lUnrtSH AMI'HICAN roi.ONIKS.
47
iH'^
roni-
\ce at
iirlin-
tiave
than
Mr.
Ilaiion
ill IMOM. mimI willi llir onliiiuiy iiicn'Jisf^
:MiiniiL!,si IIk' Jnli:ilHl:uilN, iiiid :iis(» r.iKiii*^ into
iU'coniit llir rvhiurdiiiJiiy influx olsc lllrrs (roiii
(lir UiiihMl Sliilr.s, <Kr}|Hi()iM'«l hy IVIr. .Irdiisoii's
<>iMh:n'<;o aiul nllu r iiir;isiins oC llir Aiim ii< :iii
^ovrnininil, iMlwcni llir ycjir IKOJl iiiid llw
hn'sikint; <nil oj lioslililirs ImIwjm n llir Iwo
contilrirs, I lliirik we liiiiy imw r<;is<m;il»ly
<-niMnii
itr ll
M
po|
Ml
l:>l
loll o
i I
v\
Ml- iUM
I 1
iOWJT
(yaiijuhi 5il 'Mi'tJUHK <►! wliirli llir low<'r
|»n)viii(M' iiijiy ronlaiii jiImmiI, 27.'>,(HM).
\V illi ni^iird l<» llic i'< s|M'('liv(! cliaraclrrs of
racli «,r llir llin'r divisions or cIjishcs of |)ro|»l<',
)idalioii ol' llirsr proviiirrs,
comimsiiii'
ll
w
|>0|
and ill ilic (iisl jdaci' rcsprcliii}; llir dcKcrndanIs
ot'llto I'rnirli ('(doiiislH, ii may Im- ohscrvrd, llial
tliey arc iionrsi and iiprii^lil in ilicir reciprocal
dcaliiii^s lo a dc!;rcc scarcely any wlicrc lo l»c
Slid willi where so iniu h i;:^iioran(:e pnivails,
or indeed perhaps any where; — sociahh- and
polite in Iheir manners; and, as far as rei^iirds
tl
ld(
(I
economy, Muy are sensihU;, int^i-nious, and m-
iluslrious
It is very iiiicommon and extraordinary tliat
lhe.se eharacieristics, and an almost total want
ol' ediicaHion, should <'\ist lojjrether
ind tl
lis
7 /
ill
1^ nu
1^
I 1 !
i
■s-
V,
! ^i
I a
IIMPOH IAN" I or Tlllf
f» ^
i r
Tlio Urilish :nul Vmrri(nnM niny r;nil< In
.1.
i>«MM«M III poml oi iiHhislry :nul t'roiumiv ; nin
(Voui Mu^ ;nlMUi1;ia,«'M mIihIi lln^y <'iM*'y IVnin
rdnrMlioii. nrc suprnor lo IIh- <lrs(riHl;nilM of
tlio I
VV}\i
\\ <'<>!
ouisls in |)nnil oj" rnh j {Misf
< onmiiinu, llir :iil:irlnii4'n
i oi II
ir III
linlii
U\\\\s o\ \hc (':\ii:i(|;is lo \\\v mol'vr «omi'ry ;
niul, in llu lirsl phn i\ n'ii.:n«luii; lSi«- « ulio may
he «lishni:nisliril ;is l)u> I'JU'IimIi ji r<i ol' lln'
l\ui:Hli:ni popiihihon. v, lio ;iv«' roiuposrH oi
oni'iirniits iVoni ilio nio'l\«'r <'o\i!ii* ;hiiI oi llio
ilos('rn«l:uils of JMiiilisli . i ugi.iil' , W' insiy
inaki^ lh» i'nilowmi; r<*in;ulvs, \ <.,■:. iMspcrliiif;
flios(^ who iMi<"! :r i''' iVom \\u' uiotli'. r-('oi;nlrv if,
;n in' oU-<r^.d thai ^^u^l^ 'iuinniliotis arr
nt
sonuMiuKs or('aMon(Mi oy a pnM
(lll.vl
ihl
n^piihlu an nnin iplis
V<
w
III It inav l)c 4asMV
ion lor
I'
i\'(M>r<l. thai. \\\\v\\ this is ilu^ raj^o, a Hrilish
pr(niuo«\ in lh{> vitMiiity oi'a r<'pnhh«aii coniilry,
wtMihl not l»o tlu' rlioun^ oi siM'h p(>oph'. |n-
dood.suoh p« rsons invai'ial)l\ lain! in lln* I'nilod
State's, troiu \\liin(M\ hon<nor, nihuy ol thrni
lrt>! I disappointnuMil ultiinatoly iind Hioir way
uUo Canadii.
NO
la I
mi:
mil
illH
!irr
aiM
(I
ir
niv
luj
ron
(lisli
nc
land
Si. I
coil.'
■1^
llHIi'inil AMCHM AN fOLONfiq
40
'"m
uliM li imiimI Im> oln'yr<l, mm w»II !IH Jjixj-h wIiicIi
iihinI Im« «iisr|inr^MMl ; rnKhiiLr iliiil proili^jjlily
Mll«
i iilli
« IM>KH III lliiH roMiiliy, !is will ;i*^ in Ihnl
ullirli HiJ'V IrK, IS ;ih
HO ;irroiii|>Mni(M! wilh i»ov( >
III
I'
ly siikI «Iin(h>h«, liiMlin^ lli;il IIm jkhu itiisn jiMr
Noil HO ^nirijilly |nrv;il<iil llii oiitriioiil \\ir
I'liilnl ShilcM iiol only vi« l<lw llir ( iiMivmUh
ImiI ii sciiiily s«iil>siMtriir(', l»iil, is only io Itc it)}
laiiird :it :i iiipji prMc ; iiimI, iiiidiri^, to<». Hint
fi ill
:i rril|H'orily of llir i;roKrsl niMriMK^ jiik
iiiMiiiiri's iiiKiill nml iiiflimiiiy •<> Hi'" nilcrw win-
iniiHi Im oIm \) (i, ;iimI r(»nl(-in|>i (»( tlir hiws
uifl iiuihoritM
w
lii( li iiiiiKt Im- siilitiiilird to.
Jirr 51 U'S\ oC iJir rliniJMtrnstir o
>r II;
tlii^
;m roiiit}i
I i 'ir.'Mli-<
iiiid lis rr|>iil»li(-iin ^ov<>niiiM'i)t
llirvrf'oM", ;il>oiil wliicli iliry li'.iH \ic(u ho lonjr
(Ircainiii^^, iii hist, thus (lis:i|)|M:;iriii;; noy fiiirl
llHiiiNrlvrs ill iTJility IriinsjKnlcd, lra;iM|>orti;(i
fnmi IIh' solid cotiiCorls tlicir tr.il .«• (oiirilry
iifrordrd into tin midsl of d tlifidhy ;iiid
<liKtn'Ks. Tims cwirAi of lliiir [joliticaj mad
lit?sH, and asli;tiri<'(i to n turn Io I'lfir ii^divf^
land, tin; In rlilr plains upon llic hanks of the
St. Laiironcc arj(J I In- blrssini^s of lli«; Jirih.sh
c'onslitulioii, thcnilon;, alliarl iiian^ ot tli^Jifj,
K
^n
J
15
i
1
^ 1. 1:
50
IMVORTANCK 01' THR
it
^ if
! f
IM
II
' \
l\
t i
as well as olliors, from the ]>arren wastes of
Now England to the British provinces.
Alter tlH\se jieople have not only learned,
by such expiM'ience, tliat if American liberty
exceed that of liritish, it is only in immorality
and licentiousness, but that the liberty and
])rotection, speciously indicated by this repub-
lican constitution, is precarious and uncertain,
and in many respects only to be enjoyed in
idea; whereas, the blessiuajs of the British con-
stitution, beiu!^ equally extensive, are enjoyed
in reality ; such of these people, therefore,
as lind their way into the British provinces,
need not be douL-vd as to their attachment to
the British government.
Considering these circumstances, and that
the other part of those who aie denominated the
British paH of the population is composed of
emigrants, who have, in the first instance,
made clioice of the British provinces, and
of the descendants of these and sucb as have
been described, it is natural to conclude, that
the whole of those who are commonly deno-
minated tiie English part of the Canadians, must
remain firmly attached to the British govern-
ment.
M
m
BRITISH AMKKICAN COLONIES.
51
The Aincricaii [)art of \\w (Jiuiadian colo-
nists consists of two (Icsciiplions of |H'0[)Ic,
viz. loyalists who k'ft thi; Uiiitiid Slates during-
the late American war and emigrants. I'lio
former, consicierini;- tlie h>sses and sacrifices
they expe'ieuced from adheriiiu,- to the British
interest, cannot certainly he donhted in point
of loyalty: and, the i>reat(M' part of the lat-
ter havini;' left the United States, from dis-
content at the political measnres pursned by
their own j^overnmtnt, and hndiniL^ the privi-
leges and advantages whi(;l» th« v enjoy under
the British government sn])erior io thos(^ they
enjoyed under the government of the United
States, there can he no doubt entertaiiu^d but
that these also are firmly attached to the
British interest.
The descendants of the French colonists,
who inhabited the colony at the conquest, have
uniformly given pvoofs of their iirm attachment
to the British government and its interests ;
particularly in the part th(^y acted during the
late American war. They certainly at that
time manifested their loyalty and attachment
in a manner highly honourable. — Loyally at-
tached to the mother-country, these colonists
E 2
'• f;
i U^
\ i.
' f
62
IMPORTANCE OF THE
llv '
n !
rl* >t
manfully stood forward in defence of her in-
terests ; in many instances they were muster-
ed, led forth, and encouraged to tight, and
bleed in support of the parent country,
by their Roman Catholic priests ; some of
whom actually fell in such patriotic and
praise-worthy examples. These and many
other instances of loyalty might be circum-
stantially adduced : but, should any one doubt,
the events passing at the present time afford
the most incontestable proof of the loyalty of
the whole inhabitants of these provinces
if
STATE OF AGRICULTURE.
Such is the present state of agriculture in
Canada, that almost any change would be for
the better. If it can be said that any thing
approximating to system in cropping is obser-
ved, it is in that of wheat and grass alternately :
or, it may be more properly said, that the land
is cropped with wheat the one year and lies
waste the next, and in many instances this mode
:■/
BRITISH AMEIUCAN COLONIES.
53
in
I for
|ing
ind
lies
)de
is pursued, even for generations, witliout manure
being applied. The wlieat is invariably sown
in spring, and the land receives only one
ploughing.
Clean sumnrier-fallow is unknown in the
country, and, except in the neighbourhood
of Quebec and Montreal, the farmers are
equally ignorant of drill-crop, or indeed of
fallow-crops of any description- After stating
these facts it is almost unnecessary to add that
artificial grasses are also unknown.
The above mode of cropping prevails gene-
rally over the Canadas, but more particularly
throughout the lower province. Any devi-
ation from it is occasionally by the intervention
of a trifling quantity of pease, dax, oats, or
barley. Near the farmers houses there are
also generally to be foisnd some small patches
of Indian-corn and tobacco, which, toge-
ther, perhaps, receiv'e the greater part of
the manure which is applied : these crops, not-
withstanding, are seklim or never introduced
into a rotation of cropping over any farnx
genera^ ^y. \
The >^nd, however, is so very excellent, in
general, . iU?", crops of forty bushels, per
,,ti.
i ill
^!
r. ;
. i;
I :
U
i
a
l!^i
I
'!' !
i
n
54
IMPORTANCE OF THE
French acre, (e<(ual to iifty-four per English or
sixty-six per Scotch acre,) are frequently to be
met with ; either where the land is first cleared,
or where it may have received any improve-
nient; such as lyiug several years in grass
instead of one; manured and cropped with
pease, Sec. ; for, besides these superficial im-
provements, there are scarcely any other
known in the country. But the wretched sys-
tem of cropping which is practised, soon re-
duces such spots of land, as may be found
either from their pristine qualities, or from
recent improvements, in this high state of
fertility, to such a degree of poverty that they
do not, perhaps, yield more than ten or twelve,
or even, in some instances, more than eight
or nine bushels, per acre.
Indeed, so much does the pristine state of fer-
tility of the soil and its ultimate reduction, an-
swer the above description, that the price of land
is estimated by the same rule by which a horse
is valued, namely, by age, — the older the
worse But, iu Great Britain, land is valued
upon a principle the very opposite to this ;
there it is known to have improved, rather than
falleii back, by cultivation, even under the very
BRITISH AMERICAN OOLONIKS,
55
fer-
an-
anrl
orse
the
ued
his ;
than
Yery
worst system of iimnai^eiiient ; 1 mean so
far as relates to the native (juality of the
earth, and not as to its immediate state of
fertihty.
Such, indeed, is the natural superiority and
fertility of the land of these provinces, g^ene-
rally, that when it is either purposely laid
down to remain in meadow, or otherwise
CvScapes the plough for a few years, that it
generally produces the most luxuriant growth
of natural clover. This circumstance, not
only proves the natural good quality of the
soil, but also indicates the expediency of a-
dopting some system of cropping which would
embrace that valuable grass.
Respecting the quantity of land under cid-
tivation, the only means of ascertaining its
amount, is by forming a computation from the
statement of the quantity which was ascertain-
ed to have been under cultivation in 178;^;
and in forming this estimate we may also
form a tolerably correct idea of the quan-
tity of grain annually produced in these pro-
vinces.
In 1783, according to the census then
taken, by order of government, the population
'^
IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)
/.
■^
C ^° y%g
1.0
I.I
"li 12.5
UO
K
liu
us
2.2
HT i;£
2.0
1.8
1.25 1.4 ||.6
6"
^ ►
V]
V)
^%.^*J^
/
'^ >
"4'V^
/A
'/
Photographic
Sciences
Corporation
23 WEST MAIN STREET
WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580
(716) 872-4503
^^
\
:\
\
A
C^
6^
^
'^.-:^
'<^
■^
u..
a
i
h
IF
^
Jll
I; !■■
'i
■ }
i.'
H '
<
(
d6
IMPORTANCE OF THE
B
was stated to have been 113,012 ; the quantity
of land under cultivation 1,569,81B acres, and
the quantity of seed sown 383,349 bushels.
Allowing two bushels and a half of seed, per
acre,* there must have, therefore, been at
that time 153,339 acres under grain.
Notwithstanding that the amount of the po-
pulation is computed at 375,000, in estimating
the quantity of land under cultivation I shall
take it at only 360,000. According to the above
statement, the relative proportions of cleared
land, of seed sown, and of acres under grain,
to 360,000 inhabitants, is 5,002,428 acres of
cleared land, 1,221,159 bushels of seed sown,
and 488,463 acres under grain.
It may be observed, that there appears a
great disproportion between the number of
acres under grain and the gross quantity of
cleared land. But it may also be remarked,
that, in estimating the cultivated land, it is
' The French acre, or arpent, is to the English acre as
three is to four: the French measure is the standard in Lower
Canuda, and the English measure in the upper province:
two bushels and an half may be considered the average
quantity of seed.
bread,
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
67
•Ml
probable that the site of the houses, and gar-
dens, and space of ground about them, roads,
banks of rivers, and rivulets, &c. patches of
wood land reserved amongst the cleared land,
for supplying fuel, &c. may have been inclu-
ded ; and these spaces, with the quantity of
land under flax, &c. and meadow land, the
quantity of which is very considerable, must
altogether render the quantity of cleared land,
not u ed for the production of grain, very
considerable.
An estimate of the amount of the grain,
which is produced, may be made by computing
the quantity consumed for the people's food ;
and adding to it the amount of exports ; the
grain used in the keeping of horses ; feeding of
stock; and the seed which is sown; which
altogether will constitute the gross amount.
From a computation of all these, as under,* it
^1
'• v]
. .1
'!'
fi "'(
I . ? i "
* In estimating the quantity of grain used for the food of
the inhabitants, I shall suppose the quantity requisite to
each family of six persons, men, women, and children, to
be equal to that which would be sufficient for four full-
grown men, and that each man would require 2|lb. of
bread, meal, Indian corn, and pease, per day.
^ i
I
it'
58
IMPORTANCE OF THE
appears, that about 13 or 14 bushels per acre
is only produced. Considering, therefore,
what poor crops these are, — the excellent qua-
lity of the land, — and the favourable climate,
it is sufficiently evident that an improvement
in agriculture might be easily effected.
The wheat which, as has already been ob-
I'i
- I
;•}
'
Now, siipp'>sing each bushel to yield 48lbs. of bread, meal,
Ac. each family would in that case require about 75 bushels
of grain annually. The 360,000 inhabitants, consisting
of 60,000 families, would, therefore,
require 4,500,000 bushels.
To which ydd the quantity exported . 330,483
And the amount of the seed . . . 1,221,159
Making altogether 0,051,642 bushels;
being equal to about 12^ bushels per acre ; besides that used
in the keeping of horses and feeding of stock, &c. the
quantity of which cannot be correctly estimated by any rule
that could be depended upon ; but, at the very highest,
tlicir amount cannot be supposed to be such as would make
any very considerable addition to the produce per acre. To
suppose the average to be about 13 or 14 bushels per acre
may, perhaps, be pretty near the mark ; and, indeed, from
the best information which I have been able to collect from
the inhabitants of the country, as well as from my own obser-
vations made upon the spot, I am inclined to conclude that
this is about the a\erage produce per acre.
I
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
50
served, is invariably sown in the sprinp:, is sel-
dom more than three or four months in the
ground, and, notwithstanding that circumstance,
a very good quality is generally produced;
this is a proof that a very superior cpiality
indeed, might be produced if it were sown in
Ihe fall of the year.
The climate is remarkably in favour of fall-
wheat ; for the snow, which continues to a late
period of the season, shelters it \u the early
part of the spring, from the scorching rays of
the sun through the day, and the nipping
frosts in the night, as well as from the dry, cold,
and bleak, easterly winds in March, which so
often injure the wheat in Great Britain.
The introduction of barlev into the list of
crops raised in Canada is only very recent ; and
the adoption of the culture of it is a proof
that the Canadian farmers are not so wedded
to old customs as either to refuse the intro-
duction of new crops, or, the adoption of
new schemes of improvement; but, on the
contrary, it proves that they will try experi-
ments and persevere in such discoveries as are
thereby found profitable.
Barley is not yet generally grown in Canada ;
*'L
:'^ir
'
.''♦11
: j'lj
I it
! I '
• i
00
IMPORTANCK OF THE
that which is raised is culiivaUHl principally
below Quebec.
I'he growth of pease for exportalion, as may
be observcMl by No. 1, in the Appeiulix, has
been but recently attended to ; and, il may be
observed, that as the prices advanced the
quantity produced has increased : this circum-
stance also afl'ords another i)roof that the
Canadian farmers are not backward in culti-
vatinjii^ whatever crops they find prohtable.
FiiAX is generally raised throughout the
country. The crops are generally good ; and,
indeed, in some instance, excellent : this, how-
ever, appears to be a secret which the peo-
ple do not know. For, so little is the manage-
ment of this article understood, that, notwith-
standing the good crops which are produced, it
seldom turns out to be worth the trouble and
expense incurreii in working it ; and, perhaps,
there is hardly any instance of its being found
profitable merely from the circumstance of its
being improperly managed after it is pulled.
For both flax and seed are completely spoiled
r^
;. '
nniTTSH AMKRICAN f;OLONinS.
Of
ill the proccsH of iimiin^ciiunit wl>icii Hurrcrtls
tlir opiTaiioii of puliiiit^.
TIh! Ciiniuliiui rarniorH appear not to know,
that aller ihw is pnUcMl, IIk* h<(mI slionhl he
separated from it as soon as possihh; ; and
that tlie ihw and the set^d then recpiire treat-
ment HO V(!ry ditlennit from each otiier, that
wlial is necessary to the one is destrnction to the
other ; t)olh in point of qnantity and qnality.
As soon as tlie flax is pulled it is generally
suffered to lie in handfuls or so, upon the
ground which produced it, for the purpose
of be'iiia; watered r, and in this state it remains
until this purpose is understood to be accom-
plished.
The loss occasioned hy entirely waterinj^
flax upon the p;rass, is innnens(; ; the injury it
thereby receives, both in quantity and quality,
is very great ; and, in many instances, such as
completely to ruin the crops. For, even sup-
posing it possible, that the under part of that
which lies thick upon the ground would
water regularly, that which was uppennost
being exposed to the dews of night and the
sun in the day, would become watered in less
khan half the time requisite for that which lies
l^'l!.
HJ
< I
02
IMPORTAxNCE OF THE
BI
■ 1 ,'
nearest the ground ; consequently, by the
time that tlie uiideiinost were watered the
uppermost would be rotten. This loss and
inconvenience would, in a certain dei»ree, hap-
pen under the best and most careful manage-
ment, according to this process of watering
altogether upon the grass ; and, therefore, as
this method is even but imperfectly understood
in Canada, the loss is, consequently, propor-
tionably increased. For, as it is laid down
very thick and witli great irregularity, when
spread out to water, a considerable part of it
either soon adheres to the ground, or, sinks
down amongst the roots of grass, or weeds, and
is thereby mill-dewed or rotten.
Until the flax is watered, the Canadian
farmer never thinks of separating the seed
from it ; the seed is, consequently, not only
liable to much injury, but the greater propor-
tion lost.
The flax, whilst under this process of water-
ing, being alternately wet with dew or rain,
and scorched with the rays of the sun, the pods
soon open, and that which is ripest falls out;
indeed, of any sort of crop, the best of the seed
is the most liable to be shaken out.
?
Besides
of t!:e se€
materially
ing each
and althoi
ther seldc
Canada, j
times take
then expoj
purpose ol
The fla?
taken up,
threshed o
of the dim
that notw
which it
generally i
deed, if pr<
lity equal
the soil an(
well as tha
Hemp.—
quantity of
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
63
Besides, the actual loss of the best quality
of l!:e seed, that which remains is iu j^eneral
materially injured; a few rainy days succeed-
ing each other will sprout every grain of it :
and although such a continuance of rainy wea-
ther seldom happens during the harvest in
Canada, yet certainly such occurrences some-
times take place ; consequently, the flax-seed
then exposed will be inevitably ruined for the
purpose of sowing.
The flax, upon being considered watered, is
taken up, bound in sheaves, and the seed then
threshed out : and such is the favourable state
of the climate and superior quality of the seed,
that notwithstanding all the bad treatment
which it receive? , that which remains is
generally found to be of a good quality : in-
deed, if properly managed, it is in point of qua-
lity equal to Dutch seed ; and would answer
the soil and climate of Great Britain equally as
well as that from Holland
-i:«
•u\
'
f ,}
Hemp. — For some years past a considerable
quantity of hemp has been produced in Upper
li'
;i
1 1
t
«4
IMPORTANCE OF THE
Caiiadii ; iinirly in a sufficient quantity for the
supply of that province with cordage. The
prof)er and profitable method of cultivating and
managing it, however, in all the stages of the
necessary process through which it goes, from
the time of its being sown, to the period of its
being cleaned, is far from being well under-
stood in that province; and, in the lower pro-
vince the culture of it may be said to be hitherto
unknown.
The experiments hitherto made in the culti-
vation of this article in Lower Canada have
chiefly failed ; not in the smallest degree, how-
ever, from auy unfavourableness either in the
soil or climate ; but merely from the ignorance
of those who have hitherto made the experi-
ments.
The Canadian farmers failed from their igno-
rance of its genei*al management; particularly
of the process which it undergoes after being
pulled, as may be naturally conjectured from
what I have observed concerning flax: and
those who have tried the cultivation of it by
way of example to the Canadian farmers, have
generally failed of success on account of their
ignorance of agriculture in general.
if
BRITISH AMERICAN COLON IKS.
03
for the
The
tig and
of the
I, from
of its
under-
er pro-
itherto
! culti-
a have
3, how-
in the
orance
experi-
r igiio-
cularly
• being
from
and
it by
5, have
f their
One, in particuhir, of these sage experinien-
talistis reconnnended to the Canadian farmers
to sow hemp instead of wlieat, becanse their
land was exhausted with the growth of tliat
crop; and did actually himself, upon a farm of
about one hundred acres, which he had pro-
cured for the purpose, notwithstanding this
farm was in a very reduced and exhausted
state, sow about twenty-five or thirty acres of
hemp, as a commencement. This was a quan-
tity sufficiently large for a twrm in a high state
of cultivation, and of three or four times the
extent of the one he occupied : of course this
experimental crop was not worth the pulling ;
and I believe never was wholly pulled.
When we consider, therefore, that this inge-
nious speculator recommended hemp as a crop
suitable to land that would not produce wheat,
— that he had actually sown it upon such land,
which of course failed of producing a crop
worth the reaping, it is evident, that if this curi-
ous specimen of husbandry had any effect at
all, it must have been to convince the Canadian
farmers that hemp was not a crop suitable to
the countrVi
P
it
•■',1
?'■»
m
\y\vo}{r\si'V or Tiir.
I
\
hill' Tor ^>lii'iii. ii \>nnM linvr Imm'u iiioit roni
p:Hil»lr uilli roiuinnii N«Misr, and IIh' nilrH o<
i»oo«l ln)slMnnlr>. lo lui\r iTrommrmltMl llio
ifioMtli ol lump lo Iho ('t)iitulinii roriiuMM, iliu!
Ihoy niimhl liuvr lind IIh' inoro nltundnnt rn»|i«
ol' \OirMt. H<' iniiilH havr dcnir lliin willi ^;rrnl
propiirly I'or. irimid lu' rnulrrrd rnpniilo of.
and has aohiall) yit'Idnl a p:oo<l rn»p of wIhmiI,
it >v«>nld tlirn prodnro an ahundtmt rrop of
luMnp, l»» sidoN IxMn^: again '» «* propor rondilii»n
to \\oU\ anothor frrlilr nluni of wliont, or any
olhov soil of grain.
It is wiOl known lluil llu* longili of this ri'op
is ont* of its nu>sl osscniial <pialilieH ; and, ronsr-
ipiontly. if land hv <«\hansio<i with whrut, it is
in a niisorahir roniiilion indeed to produce*
InMnp. If honip ho short, it is almost pjood for
nothinu'. hring inrapahU* of heinu; wronpfht.
IWsidi^s, it is pornliar to this, and almost all
othor uTrj'n «Tops, that if tlioy arc Inxnriiint
thoy aotnally improve tlu' land : Imt if poor and
stunted, they rnin it; whereas, the flour prodn-
eed from a bad erop of wheat will be about
as good, in point of quality, as that whirh is
H
«■
Ill AMr.NMAN rnioNii'H
07
lirfMlticnl rniiii \Uv ^rnux nC IIm* iuuh\ lii\iiri:nil
<rop.
'^1
rifOM llir ImmI HyHtfiii of ('ro|i|ilnir, wliicli in
|inirliNr«l. I|m> IiiimI, in pniiil ol Lrlilily. Im imIImi
ill 11 I'rdiinMl Mitilr. Tliin rirriiiiiHhiiici', llirrr
Coro, fTrliiiiily in Noiiir dri^nc ^riifnilly ope
inirH n^iiiiiMt \\\v ciilliviitioii <»(' Imlli liMiip :iimI
(I
tix,
IMh'It iin* iM'VriiliclrNH l(» he CoiiikI,
lliron^;lionl llir ( !iiii>ifliiH ^iiirnilly, upon every
(anil, even where the I>iimI \h tiiost ndiier'd,
eertsiin pieeen of liind til inr pr()<liiein>; very
fertile eropH of eilln'r lieiiip or (hix: (or in-
sliiiiee, hind newly hiken in; Hiiiidl pic-eeH ninh r
peaNe, ni(*>id<>w, or what in:iy have olherwiHe
Imm'Ii Nevrrul years under |j;raKs ; ov Hp<»lH lUal
nmy, from one or (»lherof a variety of ranses,
he iii(»n* tliaii ordinarily fertile: arnon^Ht. llieHe
Miicli a <'lioi(M; iiii;jjlit \iv inadi', liy any one who
poMseHsed any loh'rahly a('< ihitf idea of a;<ri-
(Miltiirc, and tli<^ cnltivation and inana«^einerit of
luiinp and flax, aH would eiiHure the pr(»fitahle
eiiltivalion of these (Tops.
Considerini^ that the iand is in general well
adapted to th<^ enlt'vation of henip and flax;
k2
/i¥.
if
iik
1*
11
•^.'
ll ,1'; I
'i
68
IMPORTANCE OF TttE
that our government are disposed to give en-
couragement to the growth of hemp; and that
good crops of flax, although spoiled in the
watering, are raised throughout the country in
general ; it is therefore evident, to any one at all
acquainted with agriculture, and the means
which have generally proved successful, in the
introduction of improvements in other coun-
tries, particularly the rapid success which at-
tended the means used for improving the culti-
vation of flax in Scotland, that the result of a
little well-directed attention to the cultivation
of hemp in these provinces would, undoubtedly,
be the abundant supply of the British market
with that important article.
With respect to the stale of agriculture in
general, in British America, it maybe observed,
that very little alteration has y( t taken place in
the wretched system of management which
prevailed when we first took possession of
these colonies : the increase in the exports of
agricultural produce has been chiefly owing to
the extension of — and not to the improvement of
agriculture. If proper measures were adopted,
^»
JJRITISH AMKRICAN COLONIES.
«9
rive en-
nd that
ill Iho
Lintry in
lie at all
means
il, in the
n' coun-
liicli at-
he culti-
sult of a
iltivation
fubtedly,
market
liowever, to bring- about an improvement ot*
agriculture, in general, in these provinces, the
present unimproved state of agricultnre; the
su[)erior quality of the soil; the favourable
climate; and the ingenuity and industry of the
people, are circumstances which M'ould un-
doubtedly ensure the most certain success :
and the vast benefit and advantages which
would result to the mother country, as well as
to her colonists, from such an improvement,
ought to stimulate her to undertake its intro-
duction.*
(4 :'
.3>i •
! I ■ h
■i ■),
ilture in
(bserved,
place in
It which
jsion of
[ports of
)wing to
jment of
idopted,
ARTICLES OF EXPORT FROM THE BRITISH
NORTH-AMERICAN PROVINCES.
The articles exported from Upper and
Lower Canada are, the produce of the forest,
I' 1
* The attention of the board oT agriculture might be most
profitably directed towards the improvement of the system of
agriculture pursued in these colonies.
If ''
I I
70
IMPORTANCE OF THE
viz. furs, square oak and pine tinibor, masts,
spars, staves, deals, &c. and pot and pearl
ashes; the produce of agriculture, such as
w^heat, flour, bread, provisions, &c. Besides
these, the Canadian exports consist of a nume-
rous list of other articles, as enumerated in
No. 1, in the Appendix; a list which not
only shows the variety of which these ex-
ports consist, but also exhibits an interest-
ing view of the abundant resources of these
provinces.
The principal articles exported from New
Brunswick and Nova Scotia are, lumber,
pot and pearl ashes, provisions, live stock,
iish, coal, gypsom or plaster of Pa-
ris, &c.
These provinces are very advantageously si-
tuated for the fisheries, particularly Nova Scotia.
They have, however, both paid great attention
to this branch of industry, by which means these
fisheries are now brought to such a degree of
perfection, as to render supplies of fish of any
description from the United States to our West-
Indian colonies altogether unnecessary. For.
with the supplies of cod-fish which may be ob-
tained from Newfoundland, and of salmon and
I i
': ',
i Vi
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
71
learl
[\ as
jides
Linie-
id in
not
; ex-
?rest-
these
New
mber,
tock,
Pa-
isly si-
icotia.
tentioii
theso
:ree of
>f an\
West-
For.
be ob-
)\\ and
t a
■;
shad from Canada, theso colonies are not only
sufficient to supply our West-Indian posses-
sions with fish, but also the most extensive
demand which we can secure from other
markets. The lumber furnished by these
two provinces is mostly from New Bruns-
wick : and consists principally of masts, spars,
square pine, deals, boards, scantling, black
birch, &c.
These colonies are sufficiently capable of
supplying^ the demand both of the mother-
country and her West-Indian colonies, with
every kind of lumber, (i. e. timber or wood,)
except those kinds which are only pro-
duced in tropical climates, such as mahogany,
lignum vitae, &c. : and, (with Newfoundland
in respect to fish,) of supplying our West-Indian
islands with grain, flour, meal, bread, fish, pro-
visions, live stock, &c. And also upon a pro-
per disposition of our commercial concerns in
regard to drawing the produce of that part of
the United States bordering upon the waters
which have their out-let to the sea b-' the St,
Laurence, and the necessary attention being
paid to the encouragement of improvements in
agriculture, these colonies would, in a very few
'. M
.A II v; \\
M If
•t ■
'•) >
1.
J
72
IMPOUTANfK OP THr,
\('sn*s, \i<'l<l tin* niotlu'r-coiiiitry all \hv wheat,
Iioinp, and flax, wliicii slii; nM|uirrs from
lonMi;!! parts.
Willi rcsprct to Ihrir a(UMpiacy to furnish
such snppli(>s, some may, perhaps, uri^r tho
snialhi<\ss of tho proportion of thesr arliclos
which have hitliorto Ihhmi siippHcd, and may
press it as a presumptive proof of their in-
adequacy to furnish tliem.
To this ohjeetiou it may he answered, in the
first phice, that the British colonit^ have Umg
l)een crippled hy so many shackles, as shall b*^
made plainly appear, that they have never yd
had a fair opportunity of ascertain iniz; how far
they could have furnished these supplies ; and,
in the next place, whenever any opportunities
have l)een allowed, for their resources to flow
in their proper channel, they have given the
most ample proof of their heuig adequate to
supply tlu^ most extensive demand. To argue,
therefore, that the British American provinces
are inadequate to furnish these supplies, upon
the uri'ound of what thev have hitherto done,
would he as preposteroiis, as to assert that the
British Wt^st-lndian colonies cannot supply the
mother-ronnlvv with cofleo, hecause that article
niUTISH AMEUICAN COLONIES.
73
iH prniiitltMl to Im^ inlroduccd from Turkey
ami lUnirbon for doviestic usty or tluit tlu; Bri-
tish inaiiiiAirtnnM's an; itia(le(|iiat(; to .supply
our (loiiM'slic waiitH, lu'rauso, French^ German^
Russian, Kast'lmimn, and olhcr forcnj^ii iiianu-
farlnrcs ar«j ullowc;d to be iinpurte<^ for home
cousumptiou.
'. i':W|f''!
lUCGH
Upon
done,
at the
ly the
Eirticle
After having made these observations con-
eeniinjj;- llie nature of the ]>roperties and c|uali-
ti(\s wliieh tliese provinces possc^ss ; eonKider-
ing that the eommereial interests of (ireat Bri-
tain is the main object whicli I have in view,
particularly her shipping; interest, — that these
provinces, notwithstanding the many discou-
ragements they have laboured under, hav(;
lately, (when a little relieved by our ruinous
mspcnding-laws, and liceusing-si/stcm, acciden-
tally ceasing to operate with their usual vigour
and effect in favour of our enemies,) afforded
a very large proportion of the employmentof our
shipping, even equal to upwards of one-third
part of all the tonnage which we employ in
foreign trade, — and that these colonies from their
■ {
■ i 1 r
74
IMPORTANCE OF THE
resources and capabilities having* been hitherto
neglected, and their interests sacrificed to the
United States and other foreigners, are there-
fore evidently capable of contributing to the
support of our commercial and shipping inte-
rests, infinitely beyond what they have hitherto
done. I shall, therefore, in the first place, take
notice of, the enoi'mous sacrifice of our shipping
and commerce to the United States occasioned hy
the great and unjust advantages alloxved them
over our oxvn yhnerican colonists; with some
other causes of discouragement which these im-
portant interests have experienced: and, in the
second place, of the extensive^ valuable, and
improvcable resources and capabilities, possessed
bi/ our American provinces, as respect^ our
shipping and commercial interests.
,.ii
■\\
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONICS.
75
1*
CHAP. III.
OF THE ENORMOUS SACRIFICE OF OUR SHIPPINU
AND COMMERCE TO THE UNITED STATES,
OCCASIONED BY THE GREAT AND UNJUST
ADVANTAGES ALLOWED THEM OVER OUR
OWN AMERICAN COLONISTS; WITH SOME
OTHER CAUSES OF DISCOURAGEMENT WHICH
THESE IMPORTANT INTERESTS HAVE EX-
PERIENCED.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.
With respect to these three importiint inte-
rests, viz. of our ship-owners, our merchants,
and our colonists, they, it may be observed,
are so intimately connected, that, in most in-
stances, whatever injures the one proportiona-
bly injures the other, and vice versa. — For
instance, by increasing the trade of our colo-
nies, we thereby so far secure additional em-
ployment to our ships, — business to our mer-
chants, and a market for our manufactures ; —
h A
f.'l
4
H
i
i J
ii
(
V
!
s
)
I
! I
76
IMPORTANCE OF THE
thereby securing these important interests in a
channel wherein no rival has a right to come iu
competition with us in time of peace, and
"wherein no enemy has it in his power to inter-
rupt the connection in time of war. By secu-
ring a numerous and extensive merchant-ship-
ping also, wenotonly thereby provide ourselves
with the only means by which we can defend
it, — by which we can protect our trade with
foreign parts, and secure our safety and inde-
pendence at home, but we also thereby greatly
encourage the exportation of our manufac-
tures and the extension of our commerce in
general, by an extensive foreign connection,
necessarily formed and secured by our mari-
time industry. With respect to our commerce,
we may, no doubt for a time, so far secure it,
by employing foreign ships, where our own are
either directly or indirectly excluded : yet, by
following such a system we are not only fore-
going the most valuable part of the profits
arising from such transactions, but in reality
meanly submitting to our enemies, and volun-
tarily surrendering to them the means by which
alone we acquired our commerce, and by
which alone we can retain it. In fact, to pur-
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
77
."•^1
sue measures adopted either to retain or extend
our commerce at the expense of our shipping-
interests, will prove but mean and miserable
subterfuges, and, if persisted in, will ultimately
lead to the ruin of our commerce as well as
our shipping.
The losses which our shipping and commer-
cial interests have sustained, from the advan-
tages allowed the Americans, may be stated
to have originated and existed principally, —
In the relaxation of our navigation-laws in
favour of the United States, by opening the
ports of our colonies to their ships ;— ^
In the admission of the produce of the United
States into the United Kingdom, at the same rale
of duties as that of our own colonies ; —
In the advantages allowed American ships in
the countervailing duties charged by the British
and United States governments respectively ; —
In the inequality of the amount of the duties
charged upon the lumber we import in general ; —
In the importation of enemies produce by
license, &c. ; — and.
In the high price of our ships, and the great
expense at which they are navigated, compared
with those foreign ships with which they have
'. M
mi
■ 'i^' '
< J
H
7ft
IMPORTANCE OF THE
to roinc ill rom)>rtitioii. Each of tlies*^ points,
coiiseqiiriitly, deserve a lew ol)servution8.
ii
mi:
1:
■ 1
t
:?
1
'M
f
\
»
1
f
,4
>
I
i
f
1
s
II
t
i
I.
j
1
l!
1
I 1'
i «
!f
( :
OF THE RELAXATION OP OUR NAVIOATION-
LAUS IN FAVOUR OF THE UNITED STATES,
BY OPENING THE PORTS OF OUR COLONIES
TO THEIR SHIPS.
For the encouragement of our shipping, the
safety of our colonies, and the protection of
our commerce, our forefathers, at an early pe-
riod of our maritime consequence, enacted,*
that no foreign ship should enter the ports of
our colonies. This law our ancestors, even up
to the present generation, respected and held
sacred over every difficulty and distress: —
viewing this, and other laws, enacted for the
same important purpose, as essential to the
support and protection of our merchant-ship-
ping and commerce in general; and also, view-
ing our merchant-shipping and commerce as
essential to our maritime power and indepen-
dence, they considered peace itself as no sacri-
* See 12 Car. II. c. 18.
n
nRITlHH AMKRICAN rOLONIES.
79
rtce to the most scrupulous obNervaliou of our
iiHvijE^ation-hiws iu ji^eiifTal.
This wise hivv, so U(1inira1)ly oalcuhitcd to
protect and promote the interests of our rom-
inerce and our colonies, as well as of our ship-
pinp^, has been of late years, however, e^reatly
abused, and indeed almost totally disrei^arded :
the greatest abuse which it has experienced
has been in its relaxation in favour of the
United States of America.
The act of the 23d Geo. III. c. 39 ; empow-
ering his Majesty in Council to suspend our
navigation-laws in favour of the United States,
led the way to a shameful system of concession
to America, which we have acted upon towards
that government ever since.
The ftrst operation upon this act was to admit,
by proclamation, the produce of the United
States into this country, at the same rate of
duties as was charged upon the produce of our
own colonies ; * the first of these proclamations
jh.
i ^
* Your Majesty, by the said orders in council, did think
lit to permit to be imported into the colonies or islands be-
longing to your Majesty in America or the West.Indies, in
British fhips only, navigated according to law, all such arti-
!'■'
I
I,
li'
'M
\\\
i
' f
I;
fj
■ ]
80
IMPORTANCE OF THE
wuH isHUi'd the 14th uf May, uud th(3 next on
the (Jth of June, 178,3.
This privilege was granted to conciliate and
satisfy the chunorons disposition of th(! Ame-
ricans, when roused by a sense of the privileges
they had lof t by their independence, from find-
ing themselves placed in the list of other forcigti
JiaiionSt and their produce imported into Great
Britain, was consequently rendered liable to the
same duties as the produce of other foreign
countries, — eflects which our navigation-laws,
cles the growth, production, or manufacture, of any of the
territories of the said United States, (except salted provi-
sions, and the produce of their fisheries,) as might by law,
before the declaration of independence, have been imported
from the countries belonging to the said States into any of
the said colonies or islands ; but your Majesty, at the same
time, thought fit to prohibit any commercial intercourse be-
tween the countries belonging to the United States of Ame-
rica, and the colonies or islands belonging to your Majesty in
America or the West-Indies, in ships belonging to the sub-
jects of the said Stales.
OBSERVATION.
This last regulation, first established by order in council,
has since been adopted and confirmed by act of parliament ;
and, though the people of the United States complain of
\i
>i.i
this
foundi
" any
" the
" Ami
" ject
upon a
nations
trade
in their
interest
policy
than thi
Commiti
'!/" liepc
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
81
t Oil
> an<l
\me-
ilcges
lind-
}reign
Great
to the
■oreign
i-laws,
ly of the
hI provi-
it by law,
imported
|lo any of
the same
;ourse be-
|s of Ame-
[ajesty in
the sub-
In council,
irliaraenl ;
Implain of
5^4
existing at that time, wisely broujrlit alxmt,
M^ithout even the interfereiict' of the Irgislatun'.
Had there ever been an instance wherein
concession and submission had satistied ava-
rice and arrested ambition, we niij^ht have
naturally expected that the Americans would
have been content to have been placed, in other
respects, simply upon a footing with other
nations. But we have found, to our experience,
that one concession to imposition only makes
way for another, — tliat the tirst compliance with
an unreasonable demand, however small, is
actually inviting fresh aggression, — that nations
tliis regulation more than any other, it is not new, but is
founded on the antient law of this country, " which forbids
" any goods to be imported into, or exported from, any of
" the colonies belonging to your Majesty in Asia, Africa, or
" America, except in ships belonging to your Miijcsty's sub-
" jects, and navigated according to law." — It is foiinded also
upon a public law, approved and adopted by all European
nations, who have ever claimed a right of restraining the
trade and navigation of their colonies, in such a manner as,
in their judgement, will be most conducive to their respective
interests. It might be proved, if it were necessary, that the
policy of Great Britain, in this respect, is much more liberal
than that of France or Spain.— Reports of the Lords of the
Committee of Privy Council y from Mr. Atcheson's Collection
of Reports, .Sfr. -Edition 1807.
ft
I
,! I
il' i!
M^
.rit
}♦
11^2
iiMiMHrrANM oi un
:»s >\ rll JIM ni<ln kImuIn. >> Iio nidrnvniir lo Ht'rnrr
(rinul'-ilim |»> rnnrrsMioii. ri-««|nriill\ Hiilijrrt
llirmsrl\«N oiilv l«» nirjMiiiofJM nn<l roiilcnipl
h) \\\r\, llii> AninirtniM wo rnsilv olihiiiMMl
this m « Ml !nl\ Mnl:iJi<> lo w liirh lliry o\^ r ho lnr|io*
;» |»ro|M»rliou oi iIm ir slii|»|»iMn, '""' ^^*' miisi'
«]urnll\ SI |M-o|ioi-|iniiiiM<> Iosh oI' niii'N. lliiil
lliov oxMj ronsHlnrd it sin no luvoiir. I'or, oh-
stMMi'.i;, hy his Msiji^slys pro< hniiiitfoii oC (hr
'1{\ of .ImI\, I 7 mm. Ihsil Ihnr prodiirr uhh lo ho
suhmllrd into our Wrsl-liuhsiii srllh'innilH,
hul (h:il this piivih'^o did not rvlnid to thrii*
slops
11
u'\ . Ill on
\rv I
tl
o rxlorl iVoin iih
IhiM f
111'
i< i- roiK rssioii. iiiiposod, upon iinpoitiilioiisi
lusidr Ml Uriiish ships, roniilorvailiiiu; <hitirH,
:\n)oiinlin|L> to :ui sihsohitr pi'ohihilioii. j
(
{ >
* Soo 'An n»'«M>iinl ol' this rnornioiis iiinrsisr in |»HK<' cvii.
o( iMi. Vlt'lioson's book, nil itliMl " Ainciiisiii l''ju'roa<'liiiiriilx
on Uiiloh Uiuhls."
f With losprrt lo tlir nxiiMilos uJiitli llir I'liilcd Slsitrs.
:uul tlio proviiu'os o( wliich lln\v siro iM)in|»o,s<Mi, Inivr lakni,
in con>«M]urnor ol' his M;\irvt>\ onltM in «'oniu-il, oC 'id July,
tho «'«Mninitt(V 4)n«i thai tho !itat(< ol IMai^hiiul has, on this
a«« »Mnil, iin|>os«Nt a dnt> of li\i' >hilliiis»s jxm ton on ItiiliMh
Hhippuii:. at thrir ont'.uu'o or rloaraiu-o in th(> ports of thai
statr, «^whirh is said to hv U\o shillings iiioro than tlioy have
Uid on all other shippintr.') and two p»M- rnit, ml valorcoi.
lo 2i
Ol il
oil ar
< OIllM
Til
•Ml tlir
»Hi
llic
•he Uj
powtij
of th
said si
I'IM'IISII AlVII IMCAN r(H,(»NM q
m
\\w\v'm\ nl Mircliii^ IImm nrl of hoHlilily Willi
rorn*M|MMi(liii{L> rrliiiitiloi y HH'tmiircH, llir KrilJHii
MVf'i iiimI nlMivr wlml In MOW |))imI, mi m»y \ivn'i\\'\(i Im' |iiii«l,
liy (111* rili/MH of llir h»'u\ >^\»\i\ ii|»(iii till Mtrt* litiiMli/c mii'I
iiininirnt'lnrcq IIm' (jrowlli iiiul pr<M|iM'*> nf Htf»\ IWilMiii, itn-
|m»iIimI ill miv lirili^h nhip or vrsm-l owim'«I »tr l»»'loiiyiiiy, in
|MUl iM wIioIIy, !<• iiiiy niilisli mihjrri or milijt'rh.
Am«I IIi<> tmsi'Milily of (Jcor^iti, now silling, Iims iiroliiiiilcd
nil iiilcrcoiiisc wilii llir IliiliMli VV<sl hiflhi iMhiiKh, luilil Ifc-
nr4l(>r<< of liln M>^j««ily in roniHil Im> revoked. *
It (lorn itol >i|»|M'iir llitil Hiiy of ||m> oIImt shilcs linvr pnssrd
liny Irfjinliilivc ticl lo llic like |>iii|ios<'; ImiI, in llic iissiiiililv
of |N<imylvtiiiiii, wliirli wtm silliii(r wlirn llic hst »< coiirilt
ninir iiwiiy, nil \\v\ liiid Imtm irml n Mr«»»ri<l liiiM-, for iiiijiosioL;
(liilioM on rvcry Ion oC Urilinli Hlii|i|itii(;, iiimI on ItrMnli iri>iiMi'
r<irlni(<M iiimI coinnHMlilicn, in lik<< niiiniMi »s llios)' impo-icd
liy |Im< hIiiIo of Mtirylnnd, with (lie inMilioo, llml liic ^isst rn
Illy of PniNylvtiiiiii |iro|>o.cic<il !<» iin^nicnl llic duty on f'rilisli
iiiiniiil'iM-lnr<v<4 tind roininodilics, iniporlcd in Itrilisli sliippiiif/,
to 'ij |M'r mil. nti volinrm : mid tln-rr is intrljiyonri' rf«f'iv<'d
of ii ^nirnil fcrnicnl in »ll tin* sonlin'rii iind iinddli' st/d(
on sinoniil of the rrslri( lions laid liy liis iNhiicsly's ord* oi
t oiim
il.
'I'lir iiHsi'inldy of Nrw York liiid adjIreRHrd Hif (iovir<>.f
on the sniijrri, in Irrnis of n'SinliiM'nt to (irciit P>riliiin; find
llir iiHscnildy <if Vir^^iniii have iinaniinonsly nsolvrd, " 'IliaJ
IJH' IJnilod Slalrn, in rongn-Hs aHsrnildrd, onglil to !>♦• mii
powcK^d to |ii-oliiliit IJritisli vrHsrIs fr»)ni Inin;/ tin- rarrirrt*
of tin- urowtli or prodn<r of the Wrsl India isiandH to tin;
said Slates, so luii){ as llic ordrr in council shall b»' con»inu
ci 2
il
SI'
It
84
mroR! ANrr, or nir.
jBfovornmcni jh'IimI \\\\h \\\o inosl Iniiniilr huI»-
mission ; snul. for *' llirso rour/r.sics,'' nrlunlly
;>r:uit(Ml \\\c viiliiaMi' Imuhis, in liir roinnirrrial
Irrnlv o( 1 7JM, of Inulifii;' to onr I'iiisl-liHliiin
liirli
III
possrssions ; si pnvHru^o wlnrh wsis llirn, in
vain sontfli* lor. hy HriliNli nunlianls. \\v-
l>y llu»
siilrs this ^'onrcssion. <>\Ioi'I<mI tVoin ns
insol<Mi('<\ whirl) onr pnsilMninnly h;nl rnron-
rniiTil in this npslu'l rrpnhlir. Ihr ports of onr
>\(, -I Indian islands \v«'rr nniiVnnily oprinni to
th(Mr ships, upon principhs that, to thrir intr-
n^st, wcvr ihr most I'avonrahh* which in|L;(M{nity
<<>nl(l hax' (hvisiMJ, prin<'iph's. whidi shall
hv proA«Ml to \\;\\c srrtn'rd the carriage oC
almost tlir whoh^ imports maJr into thoMr
islands to AnuM'iran ships, I^'or, allh(mi;h
llioir ships \v« v<* hy law i^xclndcd tho ports of
II !
1'
H
It
li
od ; or 1o ri>non1 siicli o[\\cv nu';<suirs as sliiili he tlioiiti;!)!
ort"ootvi;»l to oomitomt f i\\v ilrsisius of (iroal Uiitain, willi
iTspocI to tlir Vnioriian t'onuiuMrr."
Vhc piovimr o( South Ciirolina lias laid ihitirs on Wrst
liulian pnxhioc, tVom ,-150 to .i 100 j»or cont. hii;;Iiri- lliaii on
that ol" loiviiin islands : l»nt it appears, that this duty was
inij^osod hol'orr tlu'> iuul any knowhMtgo of his Majost)''!*
ordor in t onncil. ol' '2i\ .luly. — Nrports of thr Conwiitttf of
(\>uncil, fnwi Mr. Atchi son's Collection of Ifrports, Sfc.
i '
HHIIINII AlVirCHK AN rOlONIJS.
M.'>
Mn1»-
hulian
nn, in
. iu>-
l»y ilH'
«»urou-
nf owY
uvd to
ir intf-
ivcnnily
li slr.ill
iMp;r o\
poi
is ol
Itaiii, willi
on
Wosi
Irr
than on
«lul\ was
Majosly's
^;MMJ|7^•«■ <;/
(Mir \Vrs(-hMliim roliMii<M, yrl lliry nv« r«', (loiii
liir (MMiiliiriKMiiK'iil ui liic liilc l*'|-rii(-li Wiii* ii|> lo
nU)7, niliiiiltrd witiioiil llir siiitliorily <»! iiny
liiu ; iiiid, iiflci' lliiil pcriiMl, llicy wrn* iuliiiilhd,
liy orHrrM ill (Mmiiril, luronliup- to ||h< AiiHii-
<'MII-i|ll('l<MMirH<'-lHll CJIJlChMl lor lliili |Hir|K>Hr.
I'roiii llir (oiiiiiiciK-niiriil oi' Aiiicriciiii iiidr*
|M>n(lnMM>, lip In Ihc (l;it<> oT llir roiiiincrciiil
Irrsily, in I7JM, ;iihI cvrii up lo llir pn'H<'ril.
hour, vvr sippcnnMl suhI iin* still iippnniilly ill m
loHN how lo rank llir AiiKiicjuis, — vvhni privi-
leges llu'y wrnM^nlillnl lo, or wliiil proliilnlioiis
llicy oiii^lil lo Ik' li:il)l(> lo in respect, to their
beiiit^' placed ainoiiirst other rorei<<:;n iniiioiiH.
How unt'orlniiiih! Iliul we did not, at iJieir
very hirlh as a nation, liiid out, that they put
every other (oreiji^ii nalion, with which they
had dealitiju^N, iip(Mi a more i'avoiinihh; footing
than UH, — that we did not, inslend of meanly
purchasing an e<pially fiivonrahh^ rootiii^^ with
other nations, m respect to vendini^ oor maiin-
faclures to that country, liy tin; most enorinoiiH
and unprecedented sacrifices, verily and in-
(h'cd, put them u[)0!i a footiiii^ with " the most
(;ivoure<l nations," hy excludini; th(;m as well
as other Ibreiijjners (Voni the ports of our colo-
m
lixiiMnn ANri, oi nil;
] i
IIH s. I»y rli}iliiiii|> ll»o sumo ^lillirs upon llifil
produrr ns upon IIimI oi' ollur niilioiiH,- jhmI
!)> nuposiiiii !i < nMiil( rvMitinit; «lnlv in Invonr of
oin own sinpst (M|u-.iI Io wlinl lliry rlisuji^td in
iMvour ol lluMis, inslcsul of \\\r iHlil'iil huiu (»('
'I'liL \y.\\:\\}vvi\ Mj'niMsl I'A: 10: prr Ion.*
llowi^rr, in lliis nnroriuiralr (lilrniiiui, willi
rosp(M I lo \\\\:\\ nliihon [\\v IJnilrtl SIjiIoh
should sliuul l«>unnlH ns, wo not niily p;iivo llio
AimrirauH Uio mosi, uiibotiiHlcMl ii(lv:iiitii^;rN
o\rv otIuM' roHMjU,*!! iiiitioiKs aiitl nv(M' our own
(olonists, I)iil also rvni ovn* Uiilisli Hl)i|>-
OMIUMN and Hrilish nn icljanls. Vor l\w. p%»rts
oi' onr Iv.ist-lndiaii roloiiirs n<'i*4» iiol only
opoiunl io lin* sliips and to hvx (*oininoi'<M',
whilst th(^ Hrilish ship-o'.viitMs and Hrilish
inoichanls (<>'s(M»pt tlu» l^ast-lndia i company)
uoro not t)nly rxoliultMl, hut iiisulttMl, l»y hoing
toh! thai, tluMr l)oin|L; adiuitt<Ml lo tradt; lo thrs(>
rt>lonit\*< would ru(huii;'n' tho satoty of thr
wholo ot' our iudian ost Mishriu nls. JJiii no
sucli ra
laiuit
V, 1 1 \\*
mid
appear, was apprr
hoiuhul. l>v our iiovrrnniont, fVoiu this Ainni
ran iult i<H)urs*' lu
that
• piarttM'
\ !
vV<r \os. a (imf 1 ill Ihr Ippcinfi,!
i
i
! !
*
lUtlTIMII AMF.Hir.NN (Of, ON MX.
m
— shmI
<Mir <»r
jMitMl in
tiiin ol'
I, willi
ir own
I Nliip-
in \mr\H
li only
unuMTr,
lirilislt
ui|miiy)
Y boing
lO {\\VHV
of lii<
J^iil no
; apprr
i Ainni
'I'his <-|isuiiiol oC (oininrirr hriii^ (»(mii Io
llicHr (orrifiiiris, sum! Himt ntrjiinsl onr own inrr
cicinlM, HoMK* oC onr ('niinlryuM'ri vvrrf* iiidii-
ci'd, Croin fji^fMiirss of {^Min, In siUuiMlon llirir
roiniMy, »••<! iMfoinf AnMiirMiiH ; or, so In
<'iun|HoiiiiN(' llM'ircluiiJMlfiH !is lo ru;il< (lonl»U
(W'lliril* I'claiiiiii^ uny iilhicliiiiciil to it.
Tlir llriliNii, nlllioii^li nndc^iadrd l>y k!m li
ii ('oiii|»siriRoii, ill uiiy oilier roiiiilry in llic ( ivi
lizcd world, wrr«' iM-vtrllicliH^, in or(l< r lo •;;nn
llic coiiCMU'iifc ut' tlu'ir own i;ov«rnnM nt, in rr-
H|M'('l to their lieiii^; allowed to trade t(» Ihese
rolonies ol' llu'ir own <'onntry, oMiu;ed to per-
Hoiiale a people, who \v<Mild not, in any conn-
Iry, besides I'liisrlaml, have heen pref'-ned, n[)rMt
\\\v. Ncoi*(^ of peaeeahle hehavionr and hononra-
hle d(!alin{^.
Nolhiii^ Niirely could hv more hntniliatin:^
to an Eiifi^liNlunaii than loser; his eoniilryinen
nielaniorphoHed iiilo Vmikks, nnrely to L^ain
llie <'onliden("e oi' the Brilisli f!;o'vcrnmcnl, in
order to ohtain a share of !,hat. trade from
whic^h, l»y lln^ old eHlahlished laws of the land,
forei^in.'rH were totally exelnded.
1 am neither ar^nin^ nor inqnirin;^ whether
this trade Hhould or should not havo heen
J ' i'
il 1 '^
\^\\\\\
\
88
IMPOHTANri-: OF THR
i 5
c ^.
i 5
■ ?
thrown opoii, as it has In m hitoly, to tlic Bri-
tish merchants in i»tMMM'al. But snn^ly, British
nierrhants had inlinitdy a Intlrr rifjfht to it
than ioreija^niTs, who >v(^re tiUowtMl, in the
most unreasonable manner, to come into oom-
petition with our East-India Company in this
tra(h% wliicli either ouglit to have beeni sacred
to that company, or thrown open to tlieir coun-
try at lare^e.
This t>ranch of comnierce, wliich was opened
to the Americans in British India, aflforded an
opporl unity, which thi^y (^ml)raced to the fullest
extent, of fillinj; the British American and
West-I'MJian colonies with East-Indian manu-
factures of every description, not only to the
injury of the East-India Company, but also
to the injury of British nianufacturers.
This trade being- now opened to the country
in general, however, will form no apology
whatever for again opening it to the Ameri-
cans. The former privileges they enjoyed in
tliis respect, being improvidently granted, can
give them no claim ; it is, therefore, to be hoped,
that their flag, excepting ships which might
put in in distress, siiall never again wave in the
ports of these or any other British colonies.
"
HIUTl.M AIMKRICAN <:«>1,(>N Il'S.
8J)
yVlthoii^li llie Ann'iicaiis were, as alruacly
()l>s«TV(,'<l, and are still, l)v [\w. sirir.l Irllor of
our iiavigatioii-laws, oxclu<l«'(l from llu; ports of
our Wost-Indiun islands, yet ibis trade was
opened to tliein after their indep<Mi(lenee ; and
opened, too, upon such princi[)Ies, as not only
secured to them the opportunity of furnishing
produce for the supply of these islands, hut,
also, ultimately secured to them its carriage.
From the period of American independence
to the conuTiencement of the late French war,
the princi[)a1 articles of American produce
were still allowed to be imported into our
West-Indian settlements in British ships. Con-
siderini^, therefore, that, before the American
war, these settlements were almost entirely
supplied from the country which now forms
the United States, — that the produce of these
slates was afterwards admitted upon the same
terms as that of our own colonies, — that the
ports of the United States were considerably
nearer to these islands than the ports of our
own provinces, — and thaitln^ supplying of our
West-Indian settlements with American pro-
duce, from the United Stales, must have,
therefore, been a trade well organized and un-
I 1
H
:'4^,:t
i\
m
:4
I !
;; .i
j
I
fl
J
90
IMPORTANCE OF THF,
derstood: whereas, upon the other hand, our
reiTiaiiiiiio- provinces beini^ at a comparatively
greater distance, and tlieir produce conse-
quently liable to a proportion ably higher
freight, their trade with the West Indies, pre-
vious to the late American war, was therefore
limited, and, of course, less understood, either
as to the preparation of lumber, or the proper
assortment of cargoes in general, than in the
United States ; and, having also been before
that period in the habit of shipping their wheat
to Great Britain, they even were not sufficiently
provided with mills to manufacture that article
into flour for the West-Indian market. This
difference of freight in favour of the Americans
tended considerably to discourage the trade
from our own provinces^ and operated greatly
in encouraging the transportation cf their pro-
duce to the ports of the United States, instead
of taking it direct, in British bottoms, to the
kings sugar-colonies, or to any intermediate
port in British America.
Had a duty, equal to have balanced this
diflerence in favour of America, and something-
over and above, to Imve constituted a premium
ov prot(.*cting duly \\\ favour of the British colo-
;i '
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
91
I, our
itively
conse-
[ligher
, pre-
jrefore
either
proper
in the
before
• wheat
iciently
article
. This
ericans
trade
greatly
eir pro-
in stead
to the
mediate
:ed this
iinething
3 rem iu HI
ish colo-
■9
iiists, it would have encouraged and increased
the exportation of produce from our own colo-
nies, and discouraged and diminished the
exports from the United States, and at last
enabled our own provinces to have completely
supplied all the demands of our West-Indian
settlements, for American produce. This duty,
although it would have been but a mere trifle
as to the price paid in the West Indies, yet it
would have been of great importance compa-
red with the freights from the British provinces,
and its operation would have, no doubt, ulti-
mately rendered us independent of the United
States, in a very important respect. Had the
above circumstances been attended to, and
adequate measures been adopted and perseve-
red in, our own provinces would, by the com-
mencement of the late French war, have been
capable of affording our West-Indian settle-
ments all their supplies. From the interests of
these provinces, however, being neglected and
misunderstood, their whole exports, at the com-
mencement of that war, did not altogether
amount to a quantity sufficient to answer the
demand of these islands ; and, moreover, from
various impolitic measures operating against
n
• ? (
i;
''I
■i .1
MM
> \l
'li
), •
w
\\
\
II
if'
'
02
IMPORTANCE OF THK
them, there was then eveti but a small proportion
of what they did export sent thither; and, conse-
quently, a large share of the supplies of these
settlements continued still to be furnished from
the United States. The inconveniencies, to
which we were rendered liable by this depend-
ence upon America, were also greatly increased
by the want of proper convoys to protect our
ships employed in this intercourse with the
United States.
This danger to which our ships were expo-
sed was afterwards pleaded as an excuse for a
further suspension of our navigation-laws, in
opening the ports of our West-Indian colonies
to American ships, as well as to their produce:
and this suspension was managed in such a man-
ner, as answered the purpose of the United States
injinitely better than even its total repeal.
From die inconveniencies suffered, by a
want of adequate protection to our ships em-
ployed between the United States and our
West-Indian islands, at the commencement of
the late French war, serious inconveniencies
were felt in the West Indies for want of
lumber, and the greatest distress for want of
food ; — every article selling at the most enor-
'\
I •
BRITISH AMRRICAN COLONIES.
,03
inous prices, and the inhabitants thrculened
with actual famine, the governors of the re-
spective islands, were under such distressing
circumstances, compelled, as a dernier resort,
to open the ports to the Americans, both to
their produce and to their ships.
Then glutted markets and a depression of
prices ensued, and the ports again closed to
the Americans ; and, then, of course, as the
stock on hand became exhausted, prices again
advanced, until at last it again became neces-
sary to open the ports to the Americans, for a
fresh supply ; thus producing a continued and
rapid succession of extremCvS, which occa-
sioned the moat serious incouveniencies ; — in-
conveniencies which often reduced our West-
Indian colonists to the necessity of eating-
sour flour and half rotten provisions at the
most exorbitant prices ; and at the same time
almost excluded the produce of the British
provinces from the West-Indian market.
The comparatively greater distance at which
the ports of the British provinces, than those
of the United States, were from the V/est
Indies ; and the ports of the British provinces
being principally shut up by the frost, during
1! i i!
f • *-:■
f v
i
n
i I
M
f
'i (
111
TMrnnTANrp or nir
llu» uiiiirr sniNoii, iiri' I'in'mnHlmirrM, wliiili,
nIHiMiinli, ill |Im<iii^i>|\(<m, llipy uiMild liiivr hiul
Nrart'riy miy prnTplihlo rd'rrl in rsfliMliiiy;
llio m«Mliu«' o(" llir llriliMli unMiiirrM fVniii !Ih»
Wosi IihIimm nimlvrl. yt (, r(Mi|»l(Ml nilli llir
ii»|»i«l « liiiiiiirs uliif li lli:)t nMnkrl \m\h n>iiilrr4'<l
lii<l»lr lo, it iii;iy hv nisily )M'rrriv«Ml, lliiil liny
wcvr < :)lriihit4Mi to |M'«Mlii(M> IIimI iMrrl, i\\u\ l(»
ronlinnr lo oprrnh* in this n<M|MM'l ;is loii^ »h
\\\r siiit;iil:ii* sn'iiinlilr, uliirli llu' Niipplyin;; of
mil' W('st'ln(li;iM possessions rxliiliilnl, wliilsi
\\w Wwvr |>ro(hi(MMl l»y lliis lau and its hwh-
piMision usis krpi in plsiy.
Whilst lariio storks rnnainrd on hand, pri-
rc^s wcvo inod( raio ; Init, as thr snp<*i'-alMnidant
tpiantity IxManio r\hansi<>d, Iht* (arlhcr snp-
plitvs htMni; still d<'p<Midnr "pon Ihr samr pn*-
(Mi'ions inrans.
II
w nMiianu
Irr I
MM'aiiH' an oii-
li
jpot ol' spiM Illation, thnrhy caiiNin^' an iniinr-
dialo ris(» of pricos.
Hnt it' tin* i'anadians hrard of sncli scan^ity
and hiji'h |>ri(M^s as wvvv Ihns prodiuMMJ, and
ao('(>nlins;ly dt spahluul cargoes to inn^t lluiii,
th<
•kel
c\r shii)iniMits \v(M'«» sun* to nu el tlir inai
in tin verv rt v«m'so stalc^ of wh.at tlu'v had heeii
informed ; smli adventurors wvvv sure to tiiid
tlHtrfHIt AMI'.Hlr AN roi.ciNirs.
f»r>
liirli,
> httd
I tin*
I llir
iimI I<»
wliilsl
H HUM-
I, l>n-
ndiiiit
r Hup-
10 pn--
;ni oh
nnnr-
csurity
naikri
1 been
to liucl
♦•very HriliMli iNltiiHl in Ihr VVrHl IikImm i^ImIUmI,
iitid prodiice Nrllinir prrliiips tit pii(-i*s Inwer
llitui tliosr current iit tlir ports wlinr lliiir
sliipiiMMilM were iiiMdc. riicy iiltiiiiutrly foiiiid
llnit wliiil iiiiirjit Ih' trniird a hriMk (Iriiiniid
'.111(1 riictHirn^iii;; prirrn mooii Iim roiMcd t(» lltiil
dfiirtii and uliiiost iirtiitd r>iiiiirM>, uliirli pro-
diircd the iirrrNNily lor opniini; llir ports l(»
llir AiiH'iiraiis, who, t'rcMii tlirir <ofiliu;mly vvilli
llic Went IndicM, had an opporhiiiity of t(hit
lini; these ports witli prodnee, eonsideridily he-
i'ore supplies e(Hihl reiieh Iheiu from the ilritish
provinces ; and, thirelorr, learm-d, hy expe-
rirnee, that as h»n^ as Ihr iiilrrcourHe l»etween
our Wes'-lndian eohaiies and the United Slites
was permitted and ciontinued upon the snnu-
looting as has \tvm hefore deserified, it was
iinpossil)le lor Iheiri to <leriv(; any advanlau;e
from Ihi'ir sister e(»lonies in the VVest-fndies,
as a market for th(;ir produce.
I have meiilion(;d the rapid changes wtiieh
lh(; West-Indian market was rendered halile
to, atui tlie distance and liahility of some of
the ports of our [>rovinces to he Mocked up l>y
the frost in wintfT, as two causes which con-
trihuted to the exclusion of the produce, of
1 I . M
M
.)
ii t
! ~ IS
5 M
t
' ^i
f)fl
TiMi'OHTANrr, nv rwv.
!!
(
^
a
i!'
Ml
si?
SJCft.
lluvsi' provinrrs iVrMii llir VVi'nI liuliiH. IIjhI
only onr of IIion*' two rniiHrH cxiNtiMl, our
roiitiiuMttnl rolonists wonM ImviMM'rlMiiily fotur
in lor n slisiro in rnrniNhin^- \\\v Wrst-huliiui
n»MrU«M Milh AinrrirMU procliicc.
Il niny hv nrj>ur<l. iluil our Anirrirnn proviii*
oos. ou n« (M)iini oHhrir Histniirc, nnci orsnnioof
111' ir porls hoiniv ViMv to ho shut up nl corlniii
srasons of i\\v vr;n' l>v llir (VohI, Jiro innipnljlo
of lumisliini; oin* VVi'sl-lndiun <'c>loniRls with
n^iiuhu* snppli(»s. Willi roi^Mnl lo tluMlishniro,
nil :i<i(lilioii oloiiilil (»r Ion <l;iys lo tlir InijijlJi of
IIk^ p!iss;iii,<' is (Mpial lo llir ililVrriMirc, and
llnM'(^l\>r<\ r\«M'j)lini; hiuUm* llio ('ircnnisliiiuM's
pnxlurcd hy llio nlltM'ir.iic oprniniL!; and slinllinp;
tlir niarkd lo lln* Ainoricans, sc an^rlv deserves
lo l)(^ r:dl('<t a disadvanlauc
As lo llio disatlvanlam's >vlii<'li inii»lil ariHr
iVoni llio <MnMnnslan('<» of llio pearls l)oini»' slinl
up hy \\w iVosl. it may he ol)sorvtMl, llial
soiiu^ o( thcui aro no donl)t, sliul up iVoiii
t>vo to tivo luonths : l>ul, an additional slork
lai<l in in Iho fall o( llio yt'ar would prevt^nt
oviTy possihh^ inconvt nit nee, which could
arist^ iVom this intt rniplion, cxcc^pt in regard
toil fow arliclos of minor consideration.
: i>
•I
^4
i. 1
FiN
i!
n t.i
IIIUTfFM AlVTKRirAN ('0!.ONlr„«;.
W
nclinn
rovin-
line of
H with
ii^tJi oi*
', uu<l
niMinp,
isrrvrs
\\ arise
iiX slinl
L Hull
) iVoiu
h slock
Dievi^nt
couhl
rcuiivriA
Wi<h r(»f«;iiril lo Honi-; aw Iho Mupplio^ ^^l^^ll»i'
|>rin('ipally clrpi*nH upon (laiuula, mo far Mir<
iiUialiituiit^ oi' tlio WfHl-ltiHioM wonlil iwrplirr
lo lay in a Ninnll axUiiliotial Hlock in IIh^ fall of
Hip y<"»'% rt"^ *'•<' navi^aliori of llio Si. Iiaiir«mr«i
JH hIuiI; tip liHwoni Oiiiraiifl (ivn monllm. 'Vhin
ooiiM l»o flono without fniilirr iHcotivonii^nrc?
Ilm»< Iho ont-biy of moni*y, and al>onl half rt'
dolhir per hnrrol, for which it may lio wanaiilrcf
lo kfipp twelve* inoiilhH, inMeatl of IVmr or livr.
Ak |)arl, however, iiii^hl hv ohtaituMl frr»m
Iho lowpr proviiicf^H, where th<! prtilH /trc not .ho
long hlockadfdhy iheft'OHt, three or four inonlhR
stork oil hand wonhl l»o the larj^eHt rpiufitily
which would he requiHite to provi(h; against
this inconvetiionco.
Concerninj? lumher, no [lOHfrihlo plea can
he iirg;cd afj^ainnt itw kef?|nng; and, tlicrefore;
all the diNadvantugeN whic:h could arise to out^
West^Indian coloniKt^, iVom thf?ir heing confi-
ned to thesG provinces, for their NU)>plieH of
Ihat article, would hv. also the layinq; in three
or four months stock in th(; fall of the year.
Fish and provisions would keep with the
greatest safety ; at least, if they were cured
and packed in a itianner suitable to the climate,
H
,-« ' I
i
! i
f)8
IMPORTANCE OF THK
m
they could receive but little, if any, injut-y,
from heinu^ ke|>t for this length of time.
Thus, it Jippears, that .so far as the British
provinces are capable of supplyius^ our West-
Indian seltleinents with flour, meal, bread,
grain, kc. linnber, lish, and provisions, and the
furnishiuij^ of such supplies confined to the
resources of these provinces, no difficulties need
be apprehended either from the distance or from
tlu^ occasional suspension of the navigation
during winter: and, indeed, upon that trade
being encoiu'aged to flow in this channel, no in-
convenience could possibly be experienced.
The (piantity of wheat and flour, &c. hitherto
annually exported from the British provinces,
has been certainly short of wlrat was suffi-
cient for the supply of our settlements in the
West Indies. This circumstance, although,
for obvious reasons, no proof of their inade-
quacy, yet formed an additional excuse for the
admission of United States produce nito these
settlements. '.. .; : •
The hostile spirit of the American govern-
ment, with some other circumstances, have at
length convinced us of the capability of our
American provinces, of supplying not only our
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
99
Jritisli
West-
bread,
nd llie
to tlie
es need
Dr from
ligation
t trade
I, no in-
ced.
hitherto
ovinces,
snffi-
in the
though,
inade-
e for the
ito these
o-overn-
have at
y of our
only our
as
West-Indian colonies with lumber, but, also,
the motiior country. And, althotigh notlnng
has yet taken place, at all calculated to in-
crease the exportation of flour, (at least, how-
ever far any circumstances may have occurnul
favourable to that pau\, others have operated
proportionably against it,) yet, it is no less
clear, that in time of peace with the United
States of America, flour may be obtained from
our possessions upon the St. Laurence, in suf-
ficient abundance for the supply of our West-
Indian islands.
The American embargo and the continental
system have, ever since J 807, produced an ex-
traordinary demand, in Canada, both for lum-
ber and flour.
This great demand for fish and lumber, of
every description, has been completely answered.
For the British American forests producing
timber in abundance, and the population of
these provinces being sufficiently numerous to
hring it to market, (at least, with the assist-
ance they had from the Americans,) the great-
est demand for that article, therefore, which
has ever occurred, in the British colonies, has
been abundantly answered. The proportionate
H 2
? ;
1 .'i
«■')
? I
I
?«
I
^f
V,
100
iMi'owTiNn? or mr;
Hoinmul i\M iln\ir. Iu>>vrvn, Iuip mluiiily no!
hooii suppluMl. I'oi Hip t'iiTUin^lmuit^H upou
Mlnrh Ihr inrnuNr o( llip r\|)oiifiiimi ol' llmi
Oi(l« 1 uiahMinlly. Im>IU iu Ikvu' iwi'<n^ jhhI luri-
\\\\ oi O|»t'l0lU»U.
tVhdsurrM. it lUMV Im> ri\Hilv prrnMvril. nvi'M*
uvurh nuup ntU nloliMl (o prcvnii nnpplir!>i ol
flour than oi linnlMn* \h'\\\^ liron^lil (o tho i'li
n;»«ii:in port^i |''ov. nllluMi^lt llu» «n|»|»lioN <»i
lumhrr. iVoiu (ho Aiiiohrnii nitli? of Ihi' Si
l.!nu(Mu«\ \MM*r rthuoHl rnliroly «*nl oil', )''l
thoiH' l>(Mu,u an abuiulnnt <|Uiiii(ily (»r(l)»l iu1irl<^
upon ihr i\in;\ilian Irmlory, ii lunl only lo Im'
(Ut (h>^n\ :uul llotOfMl h> nuoKol ; whorrtiN, it
phunly uppnuN. ihul. on mHouul ollho /Vnini
can pi\>lul>.ilvv»\v Uivv?», Iho incnm»«) ofUio ipiau
lily ot' (loin* (or < xporltUion wai^ tlopfMulinil
upon lh<? extension and inipnivenuMii of agri-
» ullniv : moans ol nIow operation wlnni eoiu
pannl >uth the t\'llinji of tiniher. Vnr, over
sinee Mr. Je(rei\son"s enibarp), in ItU)?. tlie mip
pl\es tViUn the Aniorieans biMn;; alnn»!<l entiroly
MilhlieUl. very Utlh^ ini'rease in the exportation
ot' tlonr >vas to be i^xpoeleil; nhereas, tor the
niMri»i« aMi rirr/iN <o«,»l^irq.
(01
r^<it^hii4 tul(lil('(*fl, iliMi' \i)i>9 iinlliiii(ir lo |m-( vrdt
nil llM'N»Hftl» ill M||. (m|mmN o( lilhihn ; >il ImisiI.
iKlJ li^llil (III* < (iiiiiilfiMMiiriit nf M< hiril lioMhlili< ^
AhlillM^ti IIk Mil |Moliih)fHry iiMMMiir^K o(
llip /li^^i^ildin jiMv»<hilMMif lind HM' rflVf I of
iiM-h'iiMiili/ Mm* (Iriiiiitid Otr (t(Mir. ih llir> |iorf<^
of IIM' Hi. Lihikiki*, mimI prodiH iniij liij/h^f
|Hi(-(*N lliitii lli<iH4« piiiil in Hir (lorls nC IIM'
^hillnl ShitOH; yi'l, Tor flir r<'n«<»Ms }ilr< (Hly uuu
(ioiird, llii'V liird }<lso Mif rrt'rrf fjf ^milfy pf'f'
vi*h(iii^ the </iih>(fli>iil ('Xfiortn ol thul Mtlirlr ,
itild, ih/iofoiT, itlliioU^li Miry rrrnfrd in lh#'
AifirrK'niiM, ^ilimlrd (i|'<)fi tfi('> (^insifliHri fron
i'fttH, nil ifirlinntioii fo iirrfri th( {t(tr\^ of t)ir<
Sf. (iiiiirMiCi', ill |Im< diMposnl of ffu ir prop* rly,
yot, llir«<' prfVjik" (Oiilit iiof Inrrrftf, by Hk; f ir
Oimif^tiinrc, nVrr lirtviii^ \h(' p6v^fY of jr < hoi< o.
Hitd riof, opf«rt licmtilitrrs nrfimlly ((ffutfuti-
cNl, lioVvrvrr, and, nl fhn «nmr hir»<\ Am^rira
hud rorifiinifd, l»y lirr pi*(dfifiilory Inws, to
\<'itfili(»ld Miifijdii'H fT*r»rri our W*'mI Jodinri
iMiniidH, n rotirtidrrfililr «npply »f flour wfiiild
h;iv<' found its wny to tlip (';injidinr. ports,
how(;v«!r vi^ihud, l\u' Airtfrirjins mifi^ht havf-
hociV 16 prr-vi'iil it, hy ♦•nforf;irit( thi* Ifiwa f-sta-
blishH fr»r thfit piirpoM*'. TIk- Intf* prohibitory
f=5?
. j':
i
I
.()
I
III'
h
■I i ,-
I i
'' -;
[•''
u
V.
V
102
IMPORTANCE OF THE
laws of the United States have done a very
essential service to the British American pro-
vinces, in putting an end to the absurd practice
of alternately shutting and opening the ports of
our West-Indian islands to the Americans, a
practice which it is obvious was unnecessary
and highly impolitic; and, indeed, has proved
extremely injurious to our shipping-interest, dis-
couraging to our continental provinces, and
hurtful to our West-Indian colonists: it is, there-
fore, to be hoped, that that pernicious and ruin-
ous licensing-system will not be adopted, to
supply the place of the other absurdity. Agree-
ably to what I have already observed, the Eng-
lish government had it certainly in their power
to have fran I and enforced an act, which
would have proved effectual in the encourage-
ment of the exportation of prodace from the
British Amrrican provinces into our West-In-
dian islands, and, at the same time, secured to
the inhabitants of these islands regular and
abundant supplies, without opening the ports
of these settlements, either to the produce or
the ships of America,
This purpose might have been accomplish-
ed, by permitting, ui)on certain conditions., the
w-
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
103
importation of such articles of American pro-
diice into our West-Indian settlements, as the
British provinces were then unable to furnish
in sufficient quantities.
For instance, had the British provinces not
been all at once adequate to supply our West-
Indian possessions with flour and lumber, then
let these articles have been admitted into these
settlements, liable to such a duty as would
have encouraged the transportation of the flour,
manufactured upon the United States side of
the St. Laurence to the Canadian market, in-
stead of the ports of the United States. And,
as it cannot surely be uiged, that we could not
furnish ships to transport such temporary sup-
plies as might have been thus wanted from the
United States, let them have been importable
only in British ships.
Had such a measure been adopted; it would
have immediately secured the carriage of the
whole to our own ships, and in a few years
would have encouraged such an influx of
American produce to the ports of the St. Lau-
rence, as would have enabled the British pro-
vinces to supply our West-Indian possessions
>vith every article of American produce of
Pi
f It
11 ifn '
1 ■■ i\ i
n
II ■
ill'
r
h
I
r
i
t
■:(
^? I
i';>t
1 1 ■
1.6 ■
f J
I I !
i I
I
104
IMPORTANCE OF THE
which they stood in need, (some trifling arti*
oles excepted, which are not produced in these
latitudes, such as rice, &c.)
Such a measure, according to No. 6, in the
Appendix, would have added 211,043 tons to
the annual employment of our ships, being
an amount of tonnage, upwards of one-Jifth of
the whole which zve employ in foreign trade ; and
would have added no less than ^1,477,301 to
^he annual earnings of our merchant-shipping.
Indeed, such a system of policy would have
brought the whole produce of that part of the
United States, which lies along the Canadian
frontiers, tq the ports of the St. Laurence, and
thereby enabled the Caiiadas to have furnished
the mother-country, also, with large supplies of
wheat and flour : but, as these affairs have hi-
therto been regulated, the very produce of the
Canadas has, in several instances, been carried
to the ports of the United States; a melancholy
proof of want of attention to our commercial
and maritime affairs, and of the assiduity and
attention of the Ameri :an government to that
important interest. "^'1 adequacy of our
American provinces to the supply of our
West-Indian settlements, with flour and lumber,
\ > ^
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
105
in the
tons to
being
.fifth of
le ; and
r,30i to
ipping.
lid have
rt of the
Vnadian
nee, and
urnished
ppUes of
have hi-
ce of the
carried
slancholy
imercial
uity and
it to that
of our
of our
lumber,
as well as American produce in general, how-
ever, being discussed more at large in another
part of this work ; and being a subject which
it is unnecessary to pursue further, as relating
to that now under consideration, namely, the
opening of the ports of our colonies to the
United States, it may be dismissed for the pre-
sent.
It may be observed, from what has been ad-
vanced upon this subject, that this relaxation of
our navigation-laws, in respect to our West-
Indian colonies, has been a downright sacri-
fice; because, upon the one hand, we had no
equivalent for the concession, and, upon the
other, there was no circumstance in existence
which rendered such a measure necessary.
This extraordinary and unprecedented pri-
vilege, which has been so unjustly granted to
the American — at the expense of our own —
shipping^interest, in respect to the West Indies
alone, amounts to no less than about 211,043
tons of 40 cubic feet, as stated in No. 6, in the
Appendix.
To ascertain the amount of tonnage which
this trade has added to the American shipping,
it may be observed, that ships generally carry
' s t|
t M
> ■ ti i
^'
' i\
' f
J. 4
i
) i'
■ f
iv ' ''
■ I
H
100
IMPORTANCE OF THE
about a ton and an half measurement-goods per
ton rej^ister : but, it must be observed, that as
the greater part of tlie ships employed in this
trade are small sharp vessels, being generally fast
sailers, they cannot be consequently computed
to carry more than about a ton measurement to
the ton register : the register tonnage, annually
cleared out of the American ports in this trade,
therefore, cannot have been less than 211,043.
The amount of the tonnage which the Ame-
ricans have employed in their trade with our
East-Indian colonies, could not be correctly
ascertained.
At a moderate calculation, however, we may
conclude that this most gratuitous sacrifice of
our shipping, by relaxing our navigation-
laws, in respect to opening the ports of our
colonies to the United States, has at least add-
ed 300,000 tons to the employment of Ameri-
can shipping: computing the employment
which they had in their intercourse with our
our colonies in the East-Indies, in America, in
the Mediterranean, in Africa, &c. altogether,
at only 88,957 tons.
Our legislative proceedings, both in respect
lo tlie tra<le and intercourse between our West-
j
i
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
107
Indian islands and the United States, and the
opening of the ports of our East-Indian pos-
sessions to American ships, are evidently so
glaringly stamped with injustice and impolicy,
hoth towards our American colonists and our
ship-owners, as, it is to be hoped, will deter the
legislature from again relaxing in favour of
America, or any other nation, our navigation-
laws, which ought to be held sacred under
every difficulty.
Indeed, the minister, who would again coun-
tenance any treaty^ which would permit the
American or any other foreign flag, either to
enter the ports of our East or West Indian, or
any other of our colonies; or, admit the Ame-
ricans to participate in the king s fisheries on
the shores of British America or Newfound-
land ; or would, from any pretended accidental
necessity, (such as has been speciously held
out in respect to the West Indies,) advise his
Majesty to grant, by license, or otherwise, such
a privilege, ought to be considered, not only as
totally regardless of the interests of his country,
but as actually concerting and encouraging
measures for its ruin.
i i
-. '(
.ii
108
IMPORTANCE OP THE
■11 ' ■ t II
il
iH i
?1 ^
.!.»
!H i
ii
{ t
i ! -
I :
OF THE ADMISSION OF THE PRODUCE OF THE
UNITED STATES INTO THE UNITED KING-
DOM, AT THE SAME RATE OF DUTIES AS
THAT OP OUR OWN COLONIES.
By virtue of the power vested in the privy
council by the 2dd Geo. III. cap. 39, the pro-
duce and manufactures of the United States
were, by his Majesty's proclamation, admitted
into this country at the same rate of duties as
was charged upon the produce of our own
colonies, and continued to be admitted upon
the same advantageous terms, until the expira-
tion of the late commercial treaty with Ame-
rica.* Neither was the alien-duty charged in
favour of our own ships, nor any certificate re-
* Your Majesty, by the said order in council, has been
pleaded to permit, that (except fish^oil, blubber, whale-fins,
and spermaceti) any goods, being unmanuiactured, as well
as pig-iron, bar-iron, pitch, tar, turpentme, resin, pot-ash,
pearl-ash, indigo, masts, yards, and bowsprits, being the
growth or production of any of the territories of the United
■u:l
■ iivy
RRITC8H AMERICAN COLONIES.
109
quired, as usual, that the importatious made in
American ships were the produce and nuuiufac-
ture of the United States; these orders in
council thereby admitting, that the ships natu-
ralised the property; and, consequently allow-
ing this new republican flag to cover property
from every sort of scrutiny as to its origin.
M
n
f\
\
Mil
' ■] \
^
states of America, may be imported directly from thence into
uny of the ports of this kingdc i, upon payment of the same
duties, as the like sorts of goods are or may be subject to, if
imported from any British island or plantation in America.
[k i(
.111'
OBSERVATION.
Your Majesty has thought fit to grant to the commei-cc of
the United States, with respect to certain articles above enu-
merated and described, (being those in which the commerce
of the United States is principally carried on,) the same pre-
ference as is granted to the commerce of the islands and
plantations in America, remaining under your Majesty's do-
minion : and, in many of these articles, the commerce of the
said States derives great benefit from the preference thus
given, to the detriment of the commerce of other foreign na-
tions, as will be seen by the following table.* — Report of the
Lords of the Committee of Council, from Mr. Atcheson'*
Collection of Reports,
^M
* The Tabic heie alluded to is omitted, being a-ndered iimieeessary b'»
No. 5, in the Appeudix.
'f
110
IMPORTANCE OF THE
These advantages, the Americans, by their
Ihreatenings and compulsory measures, obtain-
ed with so Jirtle difficulty, that, insteaa of being
l^rateful for these unparalleled privileges, they
were only stimulated to make further demands,
equally unreaionable and unprecedented ;
such as a free trade to our colonies, &c. en-
forcing these demands by the imposition of ex-
orbitant duties against our commerce, non-
importation-acts, and other hostile measures.
This gross abuse, however, of our profuse
liberality and unbounded concessions to them,
had not the effect which they might have natu-
rally been expected to produce, namely, a re-
traction of every former concession that had in
the least exceeded the limits, which our mari-
time laws and transactions with other nations
had set to our stipulations in all commercial
arrangements with that country.
Had this been the case, one of the most im-
portant of these retractions would have been a
charge of an equal amount of duties upon
American produce, as was charged upon tlie
produce of other foreign nations. But, no such
effects were produced. Our government still
continued ttieir conceding system, endeavour-
I't . i
It
fi '
'■^1
BRITISH AMERICAN COLOKIES. Ill
itig to purchase friendship by meanly submit-
ting to the grossest insult and imposition. ^
Fish-oil, blubber, whale-fins, and spennaceti,
Were afterwards only made exceptions to this
general exemption of duties upon the produce
of the United States : and, after having for
several years exempted America from the
alien-duty, when we did at last put her so far
upon a footing with other foreign nations, as to
subject her to an alien-duty, still it was only to
the trifling amount of about one Jjjtieth or
sixtieth part of her excessive charge of this
description against us.
It appears, that the duties charged upon
American and other foreign produce, previous
to the expiration of our late commercial treaty
with the United States, were no less in favom-
of America, even after she was subjected to the
alien-duty, than 18^. ()d. per load upon pine or
fir timber, 14^. 8^/. upon oak, 436'. 4r/. per ton
upon ashes, and proportionably favourable
to her upon all other articles, as appears by
No. 3, in the Appendix.
This difference in favour of American pro-
duce, on the duties levied upon our importa-
tions, was evidently a sacrifice both of our
:i m
t f*
. (
i^ltlsl' ] il.
i. v
) •(
"••If
112
IW^O-RTANCE or THE
assm
revenue and of our Amerir.in provinces, and
an unjustitiahle partiality shewn to llic? Uiiilofl
States in respect to other fouei^^n (5ouut;r*«^s.
America ji^ave us no advantafjie ov(*it other
roi*eigners 1* What ehiim then, bad shtj U> any
preference from us iu this vespe(;t ? , f >
'J
A-
i' i
• Tonnage-dutii'Sf giving a preference to the. .ships of the
United States and of other nations over Jtose oj Great
Britain.
By a law made in Feiisylvania, a duty or 4*. (id. per ton,
for every voyage, was ir^posed upon' the vessels of evcrj" na-
tion with whivh congress had not made treaties of aommerce.
By a hiwt made in Maryland, a duty of \s. per ion was im-
posed on all foreign shipping, except British ; and a duty of
5.V. per ton upon BHtish shipping. By a law passed in Vir-
ginia, in 1788, a duty of %$, per ton was imposed' on British
vessels, aud 3«. per ton on all other foreign vessels. By a
law m-ade in North Carolina, a duty of bs. per ton was im-
posed on British vessels ; and a duty of \s. per ton on alt
ottier vessels.
Duties on imports, giving a preference to those of the
(United States and of other nations oitr those (f Gt^at
Britain.
By laws passed in the provinces of New Hamp»liirc, Mas-
sachusetts-Bay, luid Phode-Island, in 1785, a duty of. Grf.
currency, being equal to 4^rf. sterling, was imposed on every
bushel of salt imported in ships owned,' in whole or in part,
by British subjects; and, by laws passed in tiie^ states > of
N«
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
li:^
The injury of such partiality, tujth to our
colonics in America 'uid our shipping, is ini-
iiicnse. The low duly cliar^ed upon American
timber in particular has undouhtedly added an
enormous proportion to the amount of Iht;
shipping of that country, junl evidently prevent-
ed a proportionable increase in the amount of
ours. Had the same duties been cliarged upon
her timber, as were charged upon that from
other foreign countries, the quantity which she
could have imported would have been very
small indeed ; and, considering the state of
affairs upon the continent of Europe, such a
measure must have proportionably encreased
our importations of timber from our own pro-
vinces; and, consequently, secured the car-
riage of it to our own ships. For the 18*. Qd.
per load upon fir timber, and other duties so
■it''-
l\ i-
New York and M arylanti, the cargoes of British ships are, in
every case, to pay double the duties imposed on those of
other nations. In Virginia^ a law was established, to com-
mence in March, 1788, by which an additional duty was
imposed '^n all raerchandize imported in British ships. — /?f*
port of me Lords of the Committee of Council, from Mr.
Atcheson's Collection of Reports.
I
114
IMPORTANCE OF THE
- I
* \
]l
V
'n'
generously sacrificed to the Americans, would
of course have oeen so much in diminution of
that proportion of the price left to pay freight,
&c.; and, consequently, given our ships, em-
ployed in the carriage of timher from our own
colonies, a proportionate advantage over Ame-
rican ships similarly employed from the United
States; and thereby, at last, enabled ns to have
entirely shut up this source, whence Ame-
rica derived so large a proportion of the en-
crease and support of her shipping.
British ships, from the immense expense at
which they were navigated, — from their being
by the American countervailing duties prohi-
bited the privilege of carryins^ even almost any
share of our exportations to that country, and
having the benefit of only a mock countervail-
ing duty in our importations, — were, therefore,
virtually excluded from the carriage of Ameri-
can produce imported into this country in ge-
neral ; and our own provinces being capable of
supplying us with some of the most bulky arti-
cles of which these importations consist, parti-
cularly timber, rendered the in^position of these
duties still the more necessary.
America may allege that the same duties
ih
Chins
shew
prevei
I this c(
ciple
for su
ensure
I count!
I a silly
I to plej
J ed the
I *
4 »equir
I might
I actlv t
m\:>.
I ' .•'.:
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES
115
being charged upon her timber, as upon that
from the Baltic, would altogether prohibit its
importation into this country. Be this as it
may, — this is a point with which we have no
concern. Were we to take such a circum-
stance into consideration, and to make allow-
ance for it in regulating the amount of our
duties, how far would such a rule lead us ? To
admit this principle would be to admit a
precedent of the greatest impolicy, and indeed
of the most extravagant folly.
Upon such a principle, the Emperor of
China, had he timber for exportation, might
shew us that it was only the high freight that
prevented his timber from being exported to
this country, and witn propriety urge the prin-
ciple we had admitted and adopted, as a plea
for such a regulation in his favour, as would
ensure the exportation of his timber to this
country, as well as his teas. It would be but
a silly argument, in opposition to such a plea,
to plead that a sacrifice of 20^. per ton answer-
ed the Americans purpose, whereas, he would
require cf 20 per ton : the loss to us, indeed,
might differ materially, but the principle is ex-
actly the same.
I 2
% ^ii
j:'i
r^^i;i
"E
(
;.i
■^:
116
IMPORTANCE OF THE
AM that America can, in reason and justice,
require of us, upon this score, is, to be put upon
a footing with other nationst — a privilege which
she has in very fevi^ instances extended to us,
but upon many occasions singled us out, by the
most marked insults and disadvantages.'*''
ii
* Duties on imports, giinng a preference to those of other
nations over those of Great Britain.
By laws made in the provinces of New Hampshire, Mas-
scchusetts-Bay, and Rhode-Island, a duty of 6*. sterling, per
hundred weight, is laid on cordage of British manufacture,
and only half that duty if it be of the manufacture of any
other foreign nation. — By a law passed in the province of
Maryland, a duty of 2s. per cwt. was imposed on brown and
clayed sugars imported from the British West-India islands ;
and a duty of Is. 6d. per cwt. on the like articles imported
from the plantations of France, Spain, Holland, Denmark,
and Sweden ; and % duty of Id. per pound on refined sugar
imported from Grent Britain ; and a duty of Id. per pound
on the like article imported from the dominions of France,
Spain, Holland, Denmark, and Sweden.— >By a law passed in
South Carolina, in 1 784, higher duties} were imposed on the
produce of the British West-India islands than were payable
on the like produce of the West-India islands of other foreign
nations ; and, in Georgia, similar acts were passed, for the
same puqioses. The committee believe, that the laws be
fore mentioned are by no means all that have been passed
for the purposes before stated. The regulations made in
II!
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
117
d justice,
I put upon
ege which
led to us,
3ut, by the
;es/
those of othtr
mpshire, Mas-
\s. sterling, per
manufacture,
facture of any
le province of
on brown and
ndia islands;
icles imported
md, Denmark,
refined sugar
{d. per pound
ons of France,
law passed in
Imposed on the
n were payable
)f other foreign
passed, for the
It the laws be
ve been passed
ations made in
It is notorious, that, at this very moment,
staves imported into this country from the United
States are only liable to one-third the amount
of duty charj^ed upon staves from other foreign
countries, — even upon those imported from
countries with which we are in the strictest
amity.*
By charging the same rate of duties upon
the timber of all foreign countries, and regu-
lating the amoimt of the duties as circum-
stances and our own interest point out, we
these respects, by the several legislatures, are so various, that
it is hardly possible to obtain a complete account of them.
The merchants of Glasgow estimate the tonnage-duty, im-
posed in the period above mentioned, on British shipping
throughout all the United Slates, to have been, on an aver-
age, 2s. 3d. more per ton than on American ships, and that
this charge on a ship of 200 tons, amounts to of'22 : 10 for
each voyage ; and they estimate the duty, imposed during
the said period, on goods imported in British ships through
all the United States, to be, upon an average, 2 per cent, more
than on the like goods imported in American ships, and that
this charge on a cargo of tjie value of o£'2,000 amounts to
«£'40. — Report of the Lords of the Committee of Council,
from Mr. Atcheson's Collection of Reports.
* Fish, foreign staves, and lumber, are now excluded, by
order of council, from the British West Indies.
' i,v
', t
118
IMPORTANCE OF THE
■M i
V I
might, in a very few years, secure the carriage
of that article entirely to our own ships ; and
also, the supplying of it to our own colonies.
The advantages to be derived from the ac-
quisition of this employment to our own ships
would be immense. And it is our own fault if
we do not secure the carriage of every load of
timber which we import.
For no foreign nation would ever think of
complaining of the duties which might be im-
posed for this purpose, provided they were
equal in amount: — being a matter of mere
domestic policy, and imposed agreeably to an
inherent right, which we enjoy in common with
other nations, of imposing what duties we
choose upon foreign produce, no nation could
or would ever complain of their amount.
Neither the American, Russian, Prussian,
Danish, Swedish, nor any other foreign go-
vernments, consult our interest or inclinations
in respect to the duties they impose upon such
produce and manufactures as they import from
this country ; then, certainly, neither are we,
tlierefore, under any obligation to consult any
of their interests or conveniencies in this re-
spect : far losi* to adopt m- continue measures
(■!
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
119
which sacrifice our most important commercial
interests to their advantaj^e.
It is no doubt to this sacrifice of our duties
upon American produce, that America owes a
very large portion of her shipping*. The ton-
nage which she annually cleared out for this
country with timber alone, before the hostile
measures she adopted towards ns, was not
less than 120,000 tons: being a downright
sacrifice of a proportionate amount of our own
shipping, — of our American provinces, — and,
indeed, of our whole mercantile interest.
I'. %
J li
: ^ \r
OF THE UNREASONABLE ADVANTAGES ALLOVl^ED
TO AMERICAN SHIPS, IN THE COUNTERVAIL-
ING DUTIES CHARGED BY THE BRITISH AND
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENTS RESPEC-
TIVELY.
?!
t ' I n
The difference, or extra duties, charged by
the government of any particular country, upon
the goods imported in foreign ships, compared
S!i
I :*! ■
,"1 '■
ill •
■ ,s
; > .1
I'
120
IMPORTANCE OF THK
witli that iiuported in their own vessels, is an
alien, or, conntervailing, duty, intended only to
affect the sliipn ; its object is neither the gene-
ral policy of the importation of the goods
uhich constitute its subject, nor the funds
which it is to furnish ; but, for the express pur-
pose of encouraging and securing the freight to
its own shipping.
A relative equality of this duty, therefore, as
respects the relation in which nations stand to
each other, is but just and reasonable. In-
deed, nc gcernnient, which attends to its own
interests, will ever suffer an inequality in this
respect to operate against them : but will
charge, in favour of their own ships, equal to
what is charged against them in every foreign
country respectively ; otherwise they are evi-
dently guilty of conniving at the destruction of
their own shipping-interest.*
'f
M
I ■
* Your Majesty by the said orders in council, has allowed
the goods and merchandize, being tlie growth, production,
or manufacture, of the territories of the United States,
though imported in ships belonging to the subjects of \\vt
United States, to be exempted from the alien-dutj.
OBSERVATION.
The goods imported in ships belonging to all other foreign
BRITISH AMERIC\N COLONIES
121
The method, or data, by which the Britiuli
and American governments have levied their
It '
A
nations, are subject to the alien's duty ; and the government
of this country has received frequent complaints fiom other
foreign nations of the distinction thus made, to their preju-
dice, in favour of the United States, (page 54.)
As the security of the British dominions principally de-
pends upon the greatness of your Majesty's naval power, it
has ever been the policy of the British government to
watch, with a jealous eye, every attempt which has been made
by foreign nations to the detriment of its navigation: and,
even in cases where the interests of commerce, and those of
navigation, could not be wholly reconciled, the government
of Great Britain has always given the prtference to the inte-
rests of navigation : and it has never yet submitted to the
imposition of any tonnage-duties, by foreign nations, on Bri-
tish ships trading to their ports, without proceeding imme-
diately to retaliation.
In the year 1593, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth,
the State of Venice, (which was then one of the first mari-
time powers of Europe,) made a distinction to the disadvan-
tage of English ships in the duties on merchandize imported
into, or exported from, the Venetian territories : Queen Eli-
zabeth, in a charter she at that time gave to the Turkey
Company, forbade, during the twelve years which the said
charter was to continue, the importation, into England, of
currants, or the wine of Candia, in Venetian ships, upon for-
feiture of the said ships and their cargoes, unless the state of
Venice shoqld think fit to abolish the distinction before
mentioned, to the disadvantage of the ships of England : —
..I ft
I; I
i. \n
-> (
t \
;,l|
ii
; >
i
• ' (
■ (
'I ^
t ,
,1 <r
I
^1 I
;■ "i
li ;
I.),
'ii
i!
Iff
122
iMPORTANCE OF THE
countervailing duties, for the protection of
their shipping, has been a per ceutage upon the
and, in tlic year lOGO, when the guvcriimcnt of France im-
posed a duty of 50 sols per ton, payable in the ports of that
kingdom, upon the shipping of all foreign nations, including
therein the shipping of Great Britain, the legislature of this
country, by the 12 Charles II. 2 chap. 18, immediately im-
posed, by way of retaliation, a duty of 5«. per ton, on all
vessels belonging to the subje* *<i of France, which should
trade to the ports of this kingdcm, and enacted, that this
duty should continue to be collected as long as the duty of
&0 sols per ton, or any part thereof, should be charged upon
British shi[)s trading to the ports of France, and three
months longer.
As a further inducement to the government of Great Bri-
tain to pay due attention to the system of policy, which the
«ongress of the United States appear now to have in view, the
committee think it right to suggest, that, if the British legisla-
ture acquiesce in the distinctions already made by the present
congress without remonstrance, the congress of the United
•States may, in a future session, be encouraged to increase
these distinctions, so as to make them, in the end, effectual to
the purpose for which they were intended. The house of
representatives, in the two last sessions of congress, have cer-
tainly had such a measure iii contemplation : in the last ses-
sion they proceeded so far in it, t!?at a resolution was passed,
and a bill was twice read foi that purpose ; the members
returned from the northern itates strongly supported this
measure ; those of the southern states resisted it, as being
contrary to their interests; the more moderate members,
both of the senate and house of representatives, thought the
'* v?%.
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
123
other duties. For instance, we have been in
the habit of making an extra charge, upon im-
portations made in American ships, of ten per
cent, upon our duties; America also charged
extra, upon importations made in British ships,
about ten per cent, upon her duties. These
data answered her purpose extremely well: for
our importations are principally articles of
great bulk, small value, and liable to low du-
ties : whilst her importations are of great value
in proportion to their bulk, and, being manufac-
tured goods for the general consumption of the
country, are a proper object of taxation, and
are indeed liable to very heavy duties.
Although her countervailing duties and ours,
therefore, might be nearly equal as to per cent-
age upon the other duties, yet in amount they
differed widely in her favour ; and, conse-
quently, answered the purposes for which they
were intended.
That a clear and accurate view of this im-
' W'liJ'*
time was not yet arrived when they might venture with safety
to take a step of this importance, (page 125.) — Report of
the Lords of the Committee of Council, from Mr. Atcheson's
Collection of Reports.
' 'J
I (
'. .(.
.■ ft
Vi '^ ■
W-P-:
Him
!-&
,r
P^
f
HI,
|l •
]24
IMPORTANCE OF THE
portant subject may be had, I ha' e, in No. 3,
in the Appendix, given a statement of the
bulkiest articles of which our importations
both from Europe and America consist ; exhi-
biting the amount of the duties with which
these articles are chargeable ; and also shew-
ing, what the countervailing duty in favour of
our own shipping amounts to per ton of 40 cubic
fest, or, per ton weight, of such goods as 20
cwt. of which would not amount to a ton mea-
surement ; and have also, in No. 4, given a list
of the principJil articles of the manafactures,
&c. which we have been in the habit of export-
ing to the United States ; shewing the amount
of American duties with which they are charge-
able; and the amount of the countervailing
duty per ton, charged by the government of
the United States for the protection and encou-
ragement of their shipping.
The ton of 40 cubic feet is the most common
standard by which cargoes are computed, or
freights reckoned ; and, indeed, the freight of
all such goods, as, that the ton of 20 cwt. of
which exceeds 40 cubic feet, is paid b^ this mea-
surement, or, at least, (if paid by weight or any
other rule,) the amount or rate is proportioned
7. T>
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
125
■> .t
to the measure, or bulk, of the goods; such as
cotton, sugar, wine and other liquids, 8cc. I
have, therefore, adopted this as the most pro-
per measure, or standard, by which to estimate
the tonnage, in any discussions concerning
freight.
By the statement No. 3, it will be found,
that the countervailing duty per ton, which we
charged in favour of our own ships, was 6s. Qd.
upon cotton, and 15s. upon tobacco: but, upon
lumber, which of all others, is the article of the
most material consequence, being the most
bulky, there is only 6g</. to Is. l^d. per ton
charged, to secure the carriage of this import-
ant commodity to our own ships. By this
statement, it appears that the average amount
of the countervailing duty which we have been
in the habit of charging, upon our importations
of lumber from America, was about \^d. a ton;
and, that the average of what we charged upon
the principal articles of American produce
which we import, was only about 22^?. per ton.
Fr7m the statement No. 4, it appears that,
for the encouragement and protection of the
American shipping, a countervailing duty upon
the articles enumerated, from 4*. to ^30 per
, I
iy\
'. t
-' M i
I'lh
! lit.
't
\':.
'!>
!^S.
1
j
'i
'i i
I
< i
{( '
If
I i i
11'
126*
IMPORTANCE OF THE
toji, averi«»iiig about Jj3» ^^'•^'^ charged upon
the goods imported in British Mhi|>s.
T s (hicimient shews us, that the Aiuericaii
^•overniiieiil, instead of protecting and encou-
raging their slnj)ping-int(Test, by a countervail-
ing duty, of oidy about the sixtieth part of
the freight, secured that important interest
more ertectually, namely, by a countervailing
duty of nearly ihezvhole amouiit of the freight.
It is also important to observe, that, in 1804,
the American government raised the whole
duties charged upon their imports from this
country, and at the same time added some-
thing more than ^ per cent, ad valorem, to their
old countervailing duty ; being an addition of
about 105. per ton, averaging the value as in
No. 4.
It is likewise remarkable, that our govern-
ment did not raise the duties charged upon
American produce imported into this country
until the vear 1808; and it is moreover notori-
ous, that, instead of the countervailing duty
being then also raised, it was actually reduced;
— reduced from an insignificant trifle to a
mere shadow, — from about \Qd. per ton upon
lumber io lid, '
if
BRkTiSH AMERICAN COLONIES.
127
upon
overn-
upoii
oiintry
notori-
diity
diiced ;
to a
upon
tr
Thus we see that, after having for several
years submitted to the most exorbitant addi-
tional duties, charged by the United States in
favour of her own ships, without having re-
course to retaliation in any shape, we at last,
for the protection of our shipping-interest,
adopted measures which were but calculated
to mock our injured ship-owners; for, what
could be more insulting than to talk of protect-
ing their interests by allowing them eighteen
pence to balance an imposition of ^3 ! !
When Wo did at last charge the alien-duty
upon our importations from the United States,
we were not bound to lay it on according to
any certain rule, — neither by a per centagc
upon the duties, nor by any other particidar
mode ; but, whatever the mode adopted might
have been, the amount charged ought, as to
the proportion which it bore to the freight, to
have exactly corresponded with that charged
by America : — in fact, it ought to have been
i^3 per ton instead of 1 M,
As this duty is specially laid on to the dis-^
advantage of foreign ships, for the interest and
encouragement of the ships of the country into
which the importations are made ; and, as
Hi
|v)
V >♦.
f ' .
M'-i
■'i '.
•\ f
■ Is
5 f
128
IMPORTANCE OF THE
such distinctions have been acceded to both by
us and the Americans, undoubtedly neither na-
tion could object to the other's making a charge
in favour of their own ships, equal to what the
other charged in favour of theirs: the interest
of the ships being the direct object of the tax.
It is, therefore, unreasonable to suppose,
that any certain per centage upon the duties
could be considered an equitable mode of levy-
ing this duty; and equally absurd to suppose,
that either nation, whilst they had the least
claim to common sense in support of their
arguments, would object to the other's charging
this countervailing duty, even at the rate of
3,300 per cent, upon their other duties, provi-
ded such a proportion were requisite to render
the countervailing duties equally advantageous
to their ships, as that charged by the other na-
tion ; about 3,300 per cent, appears to have been
the rate at which the British goverrunent, for the
encouragement of American shippings allowed
her countervailing duty to exceed ours ! ! *
* If it should be thought proper to subject the goods
brought in American ships to the duties payable generally
on goods brought in foreign ships, and also to ^qualixe the
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
129
For various reasons the amount of duties,
cliarged by the two countries upon their im-
portations respectively, must vary most mate-
rially, as to the proportion they ])ear to the
tonnage of the goods upon which they are
levied ; and, therefore, an equal per centage
upon these duties must produce, upon their
respective shipping-interests, eifects extremely
different ; — effects, only calculated to encoii-
W I
lonnane-duties, it v>ill be a discoura element to Aniericuii
shij)j)inc, and an encouragement to British shi])piug, to tlio
extent of the present difference of the duly ; and sucli mea-
sures >vill not prevent i!ie same quantity of American pro-
duce "being brought into this country, — more will be brought
in British slnps, — less in American ships.
There is no security, that congress will not be induced
lo increase the duties on British and other foreign ships, 1 1
is probable that they will increase these duties as their shij)-
ping increase, and British capitals can be easily transported
to America for that purpose. Foreigners have no title to
complain of what congress have done or may do »► this re-
spect; — theymay equalize if they think proper. Congresa
haw, in this instance, acted with true political wisdom, and
on sound principles of navigation-laws, and they will not be
disposed to alter so wise a system. — Opinion of a Cohimittee
of the Merchants of Glasgow, submitted to the Committee of
the Lords of Council, from Mr. Atchison's Collection of
lteport.<}.
■ I 'V
■i- I..
f<:^
. ;. .1/ i!., •
I ,1
V I
if;
130
IMPORTANCE OF THi
^•fl'^e ^.'.'i increase the American shippings and
in an equal ratio discourage and sacri/icc ours : —
The Americans will, therefore, no do'ibt, ea-
gerly embrace a priuciple so much calculated
to promote their interests.
To regulate this important duty, according
to the strictest principles of equitable recipro-
city, and agreeably to our own interest, we
ought to ascertain, (according to the rule laid
down in No. 4, in the Appendix,) the precise
amount, per ton, of the duty charged by Ame-
rica, and then charge what would amount to
an equal proportion of the freight.
It is, therefore, of the first importance, to
ascertain the exact amount, per ton, imposed
by the government of the United States.
To acquire the necessary information upon
this point, let the tonnage of the goods export-
ed thitlier be ascertained, which might he
done, either from the information of the ex-
porters, as to the relative proportions which
the value and tonnage of each article or species
of goods, of which our exports consist, bear
to each other, or, which would be a surer and a
much less objectionable method, — by having
pr^
phi
ifigj ana
ours :—
)Mbt, ea-
ikulated
rtance, to
imposed
es.
ion upon
ds export-
might be
of the ex-
Ions which
or species
nsist, bear
urer and a
by having
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
131
I
the tonnage, by which freights are paid, of all
goods exported, entered at the custom-house.
The amount of the American countervailing
duty, per ton, being thus ascertained, we ought
then to charge ours, either by the ton, or, as
heretofore, by a per centage upon the duties,
(but, with this great, important, and equitable,
difference,) regulating that per centage so as to
produce a proportion to the freight exactly
corresponding with that charged by America,
— no matter whether such per centage were
ten or whether it were several thousand per
cont. upon the other duties.
It is to be hoped, that the various circum-
stances concerning this important sulyect will
be minutely investigated and carefully attended
to in future. For, it is evident, that although
we have hitherto, in our commercial treaties
and other regulations, respecting our trade
with America, stipulated and provided con-
cerning countervailing duties, and have talked
of laying this, that, and the other, per centage
upon some other per centage, in addition to
these countervailing duties, — all speciously
pretended for the encouragement of our ship-
ping — yet, nevertheless, we have, in the blind-
k2
4 i ill''
I:' !*!l ■ i)
»■■:
f i'
:rn
r'
i32
IMPORTANCE OF THE
•i^i
■ ( ?
est aiifl most iia^norant manner, been, in reality,
bartering* our ship-owners interests and legiti-
mate privileges for a mere shadow ; — been
actually, by our legislative knowledge, expe-
rienfc, ??; t.l consummate skill, in financial and
com.'h ;rv^ aflairs, securing our shipping-inte-
rest, b^ a c*h "^tervailing duty of 18^. per ton
upon timber, which is one of the bulkiest arti-
cles which we import, (being no less than about
the sixtieth part of the freight,) and submitting
to the American government's imposition of a
countervailing duty of nearly the whole amount
of the freight in favour of their shipping; — thus,
catching at the shadow whilst they enjoy the
substance.
Our countervailing duty was known to exist,
or appeared only as an embellishment to an act
of parliament, — by the prominent feature it forms
in a compilation of our custom-house-duties, —
or, by the arithmetical exercise it gives our eus-
lom-house-clerks ; 1 )ut,.the A merican alien-duties
were most feelingly proved to exist by their ope-
ration ; and, indeed, so effectually did they ope-
rate, that not a pack ageof goods w as ever shipped
from this country in a British ship, whilst an
American vessel was to be found to receive itf
nUlTISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
133
reality,
I Ifcgiti-
j — been
, expe-
:ial and
ng-inte-
per ton
est arti-
m about
bmitting
ion of a
! amount
; — thus,
njoy the
to exist,
o an act
it forms
hities, —
our €us-
n-duties
leir ope-
hey ope-
' shipped
vhilst ail
ceive itf
It is impossible, with any degree of accuracy,
lo conipuie the amount of British shipping
which onr government have sacrificed l>y the
enormous and incredii)le advantages allowed
to America, over British ships, in respect to
these countervailing duties, — X'3 to 22^/. —
a preference of 3,300 per cent.; and yet an
equality of these charges is what the Av ■■:■
ricans, unreasonable as they were, would ! \vc
never objected to: or, as a committee < ' U'^
merchants of Glasgow observed upon the sub-
ject, in a communication to a committee lue
privy council, that " Foreigners," and of course
we amongst others, ** had no right to complain
of what congress have charged, or may charge,
in this respect, — they may equalize if they
think proper. " Congi'ess have, in this instance^
acted xvith true political wisdom^ and on sound
principles of navigation laws."*
Considering the attention which America
has shewn to her shipping-interest, and how
nuich she has scrutinized every parll of our
conduct, in all our commercial concerns,
which in any way directly or indirectly affected
I ii
* See Note to page 129.
', u
I H
' ; f »if
I -^ ?
IV ■': ]
■■•M-l
?i I
mi^
s' !
134
IMPORTANCE OF THE
her interests, — would she have allowed such a
difference to have existed against her shi[)s?
Undoubtedly she would not! Her conduct,
hitherto, is sufficient to convince us that she
would have immediately met any extra charge
of ours, in this respect, with a corresponding
amount of duties.
No government, perhaps our own excepted,
would have so long submitted, under similar
circumstances, to such depredations upon llie
most valuable branch of our commercial esta-
blishment.
The amount of our shipping thus sacrificed
must be very considerable. For the American
ships having, by the wisdom of their govern-
ment, all the shipments from this country se-
cured to them, were thereby enabled to carry
their own produce to Great Britain at propor-
tionably a cheaper rate.
Considering this advantage enjoyed by Ame-
rican ships, — that our shipping laboured under
the disadvantage of the high price which they
cost, — the heavy expense at which they wen
navigated, — and unaided by an adequate alien
duty, it was no wonder that ours were almost
entirely excluded from any participation, in
I
'M
m
DRITISH AMKRICAN COLONIES.
135
'I
3(1 such il
sr sbi[>H?
conduct,
that she
•a charge
^sponding
excepted,
er similar
upon the
rcial esta-
sacrificed
American
ir govern-
untry se-
d to carry
at propor-
i by Ame-
ired under
,vhich they
they were
uate alieib
ere ahnost
iDation, in
I
either the export or import trade with Ame-
rica.
From the view tak(Mi of this im|)ortant sub-
ject it is obvious, that, as an inherent right of
regulating tlie commercial intercourse between
its own subjects and foreigners, every nation
has also the right, upon the innnutable princi-
ple of equity and justice and the laws and
customs of nations, as universally acknowled-
ged, to impose such countervailing duties as
it may deem expedient.
Consequently, no nation, which may be the
object of such duties, has cause to complain^
having it also in her power to counteract the
duties imposed by any particular state by
counterpoising them zviih others equalli/ beneficial
to its own shipping.
The right, therefore, remains undisputed;
and, with respect to the expediency of exer^
cising it, it is obvious, that, to this country,
whose imports exceeds its exports, the higher the
countervailing duties imposed by foreigners in
favour of their own ships are, the more advanta-
geous^ therefore, to British ships, considering that
an equal charge in favour of ours would ope-
rate effectually in securing the carriage of our
'/• T i ,
■*1 :il
1
i - i
t
i
■s
1
. 1
(
{ i
\-
>>,'
r I
1?
li
i:)(i
IMPOHTANC r. OK THF,
iiii|H»rts, as ihnrs would in tli«' <>iirriiiu;(; ol
our rxporls, — \vr slioiild, lln'n«(bn\ hr llir
;;jiiii< TN, ill |»r()|)<»rtion as our imports «'xrfMMl-
f'cl our cxporls.
til
uvsr duties so
— rt
hii;!
•h 1
sncii Ion liners cMiar<;r(
I as to srcurc* tlio <'arrini;«
.1
of all llwir imports IVoiii us— so miicli llic mon;
in our tavonr! as, an tMpial amount oi duty,
wliich \\v should, as a matter of (•ours<\ rliarf;r
(wn'r uo not obstinately l»lind to our own in-
lorrsl as lu retoforr) would as rerlainly secure
to us the earriaj;!' of tlu' whoh; of our imports
from them.
'I'his favourahle opportunity has heen atVord
od us hv Anieriea — she ehai*i::ed a countervail-
inj; duty of such an amount, thai, had we
raised ours to an e«pud pro|)or!ion of the
frei^hl, it would have soeuvcd to us the car-
riage of every ton of goods which wo imported
from thai comitry ; — she at'lually, thereby,
otrered us the carriage of her ex|)orls to tiiii;
country, lieing about 150,000 tons per annum,
in exchange for the carriage of our exports to
her j)orts, txiiig only, perhaps, about 30,000
tons, U 11 fortunately, however, for Britisli mer-
chants and British ship-owners, our legislators,
from some iuiac(^ouii table motives, diaregankd
v\
I'.inTISH AMKHICAN COLON IRS.
1:17
our .s/ti/>pif/ii-intcrcsf, utid, with tln'ir m.vm«/ fo//-
tlcsccnsion and gcucrnsili/ towanla /tmcriai, \vV
Iwr nijoy llu; (;ari*iiii;e of both !
1
.♦. I
!.'
U
lif
I ^ . ;1
OK THK rNKQllAMTY OK Till: AMOUNT OF THE
nUTIKS CIlARCir.l) UPON THi: LUMBKR WHICH
WE IMPORT IN C.KNICRAL.
'rhr * ohjrct of the custotii-hoiisrMliitios
ihari^fd upon t!i(* fonijijfii produce whicli we
import, is, in general, llio Ciinds wliich thc^y
rurnisli : with u few exceptions, at least, such
as exorbitant duties intended as prohibitions;
and couniervailini? duties, either for the protec-
tio!i and encouragement of our slii[)j)in;^, or for
the encouragement of our owr> colonies.
An e(|uality of the duties upon our imports
from foreinn countries (that is to say, from
countries orher than our own colonies) is, there-
fore, both as far as relates to impartiality
to tile foreij^n nations furnishinj^ the articles*
* See Note to page 128.
j . Ki
: I
^ -U i'
I
\4-
I
.' , I
if:
1 1
13a
IMPORTANCE OF THE
anti (),(!• own iul( iTst in \\\v rcvniue, in-
(lisp('iisjil)lv nrccssary. — The only clifrerrncr,
>vhi(li {)iii»ht lo })(, allowed to exist in llicsc
duties, should l)e onlv an additional eliamc
upon \\u) produce! of countries not in amity
Avilli ns, and in some trifling instances in re-
sp<>ct to articles of which a variety of cjuulilies
are indispensahly necessary.
No variety in the quality of any species ot
tind)er, however, is necessary ; tln^ best <(uality
of every j)articular kiiul being I'd for every
purpose to which an inferior sort could he ;jp-
plied. As the cost of all foreign tjnd>er con
sists almost wholly in freight and other charges
in transpo;tation, and duties, a reduction of
duty on account of quality nnist, therefore, h<^
the most impolitic sacrilice of our revenue,
and cannot be viewed in any other light than
a premiuu. paid to enable the people wlio arc
unfortunate enough to be the proprietors of a
bad quabiy to vend their inferior stuff* in this^
country, and also to keep up a successful coni-
petiMon with those who iniport the most supe-
rior tindier.
We have, howev(n% for some time past, been
in the habit of charging different rates of duties
oil
it
(«j
i!i|
RKiriSH AMKKK'AN COLONIES.
139
upon llic limlx'i* wliich wo import from foroiiLijii
roiuilrics. Tlio (lisliiiclioiis luivr hovm ])rinci-
pally in f'nvoiir ot" Americji and Denmark; tlio
very two nations, which, of all others, have prac-
tised th(3 « reatest deceit towards us, — two na-
tions, who stand nnparalleled in respect to the
lengths lliey have lately gone to vilify and de-
fame, in tfie most wicked and groundless man-
ner, our character as a nation.
The grounds upon which our American ad-
vocates have founded their claims for this pri-
vilege to the United States are, the inferiority
of the timber* and its distance from our mar-
ket, and consequent liability to high freight ;
and tlie reason for charging a reduced rate of
duties upon Norway timber was also its infe-
rior quality, — reasons the most absurd, in
favour of whatever nation they may have l>een
urged ; but, with respect to America and Den-
I K )
J H
lit
I,
I V
* By takiui; notice of the prices currenJ at Liverpool, and
otiier ports where American timber was regularly imported,
it will be found that American timlx-r, both oak and pine,
(except pitch pine,) sold at considerably lower j)rices than
either European or Quebec tind)er.
140
IMPOR'IANCE OP THK
M
,■ .■ (
;> '
'I
'.'it
mark in particular, they are altogetlier unac-
countable.
These governments may urge, as a plea to
secure this privilege, that the same rate of
duty being charged upon their timber, as upon
Russian, Prussian, and other European tim-
ber, would not leave a sufficient amount to pay
freight, and would, therefore, amount to a pro-
hibition, — so it may, and so is many an honest,
worthy Englishman absolutely prohibited from
riding upon the king's high-way, iVom the ex-
pense of a horse being beyond his reach. — It is
not our business to take notice of the distance
at wliich the foreign timber, which we import, is
from our market, nor of what quality it is, with
respect to the equality of the duties to which it
is liable; considering that we can have an
abundant supply, without making any abate-
ment of duty upon the timber of any particular
foreign country.
Had a scarcity of supplies been either expe-
rienced or reasonably apprehended, the dutir*;
in general might have been lowered ; but, as
there has never been any want or even scarcity,
except in some trifling instances, arising prin-
cipally out of our destructive licensing system.
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
141
r iinac-
rate oi
ls iii)on
an lim-
t to pay
J a pro-
honest,
ed from
the ex-
1.— It is
(listanop
nport, is
s, with
which it
ave an
V abate-
irticidar
er expe-
(Intirs
but, as
carcity,
ig prin-
system,
i
there was no occasion for this expedient. In-
deed it is clearly shewn, in the 3d chapter, tliat
our American colonies are more than sufficient
to supply all our demands for timber of every
description. This abatement of duties, there-
fore, in favour of Denmark and America, being,
to the former, 10^. per load, upon pine or fir, and,
to the latter, 18.s. Qd. upon tir, Ibs.Gd. upon oak,
and in the like proportion upon all other iteni»
of our timber-importations from the United
States were mere sacrifices.
With respect to the motive which induced
this sacrifice, considering that our colonies
have always proved themselves capable of fur-
nishing supplies infinitely beyond the greatest
demand; and, that our ship-owners were suf-
fering the greatest distress for want of employ-
inent to their ships, it is obvious, that, as there
was neither a scarcity of timber nor of ship-
ping to carry it, this sacrifice must have pro-
ceeded from mere generosity, — and as a bounty
granted the Danes and Americans in support
of their shipping, to enable them, with an
inferior article, to maintain a successful cojnpe-
tlon with our own colonists, in the supply of
\%
II '
142
IMPOUTANCK OF THE
the British market with tiinlier of the most
su[)crior
quality.
i
111
en t
J I
I •
!••
or THE ADMISSION OF ENEMIES I'ROPEFTY BV
LICENCE, AND THE 13d GEO. III.
Respectinj^ our trade !)y licence, or. .Privy-
Coimcil-6jjstem of commerce ! it ii);'.y ?>f oh-
served, tluit the British nation owes it > f oni-
fnercial greatness and superiority over .dl other
nations in this respect, to the T^'cuiu^r pro-
perties of the *^ritish constiaUion, w)jich, by
the safety it provid .s for private property, aiid
by the proijction aiiil acouragement it liolds
out to industry, thereby affords coir.mercial
facilities and advantages not to be equalled in
any other nation.
The laws which respect commerce (not
orders in council, or laws made for the con-
venience of retailing commercial licenses, hut
the laws of the land, calculated to give per-
manency and security to every species of iner-
cantde industry) have been proved, hy expe-
V;
u
#
an
ne
-u
ni(
^•l
oil
■#
J
ytr
A
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
14.)
most
:rty by
r, Privy-
; it - f OIU-
d\\ other
li.ar pro-
/liicb, by
erty, and
it holds
ir.mercial
uallf a in
rience, and treasured up in the constitution Tor
the protection and encouragement of Irade.
These laws (the most important of which are
Uiose that respect our shipping) so amply pro-
vide for the safety and security of commercial
enteri)rise, as to give the fullest scope to the
plans and schemes which the enterprising and
ingenious may introduce into our mercantile
system of economy and industry, notwith-
standing that many years, in which peace and
war may alternately prevail, may be necessary
to bring such undertakings to maturity :
whereas, the arbitrary and uncertain measures
of the governments of other countries, with
few exceptions at least, are such as render pri-
vate property insecure, all mercantile pursuits
uncertain, and the best-contrived commercial
schemes generally unsuccessful. But the Bi -
tish constitution scrupulously respecting d
protecting private property from every imposi-
tion, and so amply providing for the prolenioii
and encouragement of every branch of Misi-
ness, as to set all our nianufactrtring and com-
mercial concerns in motion, supporting each
other like the constituent parts of a well-con-
structed piece of machinery, thereby ena^'bs
;;■ IS
), I
(l^ll^j:
fi
■|]
1
1' 1 ■
I
M4
fiMfORTANi K or THK
IIS, iinlwifhsfaiHlini;" llic prices of lalMMir, and
the raw malirial, may Ikmimu'Ii l»ii;lur than in
most other Ibroij;!! connlric^s, succrssCnlly U*
comv in conipolilion, l)olli with \\\v ior<M!;n ma
iiiifacturt's and sliip-ouncrs.
It is ucilhcr iVom a rarrh\ssnrss of the sovr-
reii::;nit of tho conlincni of lilnropi' and Ihcir
ministers rf)n(MM-ninjn- tlie lhri\ ini; of Ihcir coni-
mcrce and mnindaetnres, -nor hccansc our j;()-
vernniei\t is more assiduous in tlu-ir allfnlioii
to these aH'airs, — neilher from any natural dis-
position to indolence or v ant of enterprise! in
tlie peoph^ upon tlie < ">ntinenl, — nor IxM'ause we
individually excel in industry and ingenuity,
that we exceed every other nation in com-
ineroe, — Imt, as I have already o])served, be-
cause our laws, which resj>ecl our mercantile
pursuits, excel thosc^ of all olher countries,
being (at least until lately) laws of the land,
enacted from the wise deliberation of a par-
liiinient representing all classes and interests
of the comnnmity, and rendered secure, by the
peculiar pro;)erties of our constitution.
Notwithstanding the advantages, however,
which we have derived from adhering to a per-
manent svstem of connnercial laws, we have.
IU< IT I SII AMKRIf AN COLON IKS.
145
^i«
laid} shewn ;i most iinJiccoiiiitaMc disposition
{,0 strike ont of the t-ood old palli, ciralked ont
)>} llie \vis<lf)n] of onr ancestors, wliieli has con-
dueiofl us to a (hi;ree of national eonsi^fiueneo
ind f;oiniuei'<;ial pros[)e'rity, tiitheito nnparalhl-
ed, into the erook<:d bye-ways of tlie liUropean
iL;;over!unents, whose arJ)itiary inteiference witli
a su])jeet nj)on which lliey have liad no coni-
paraiive experience, ha\(' lonii; shackled and
discouiai;<Ml, and, in many instances, rninod
Iheir connnerce. Yet it is to speculations such
as these, conceived in ignorance and hatched
in power, that our Privy Council 1. ts diought
j)roper to sacrifice the navit;ation-laws of our
ajicestors, which may be justly termed the
()illars which support our national renown,
and tlie sheet-anclior oi our commercial pros-
perity.
The act of the 2'5d Geo. III. caj). .39, dated
llie 12th of May, 17B3, authorised his Majcsty
in council to su.^>[)end, as rei;'arded America,
every law existinj;^ for the re^uhilion of our
commercial concerns with foreign nations, and
to adopt, in their stead, whatever measures,
rules, or regulations, they miglit chooser to adopt.
This was, indeed, understood to ha^e bf< ii but
\ ^
^'ip!
II
(
4
■A
Mrt
TArroUTANci: of Tin:
I L.
IT
1
MlrrTij)orMnin('Msnn' ; l)ul it set, '.m v\\\m\)n\
A\In<'li Iins mirovlniKifcly \)rv\\ too uuirh copied
fl'onj i\rr since Ili;i1 jxriod.
Am()np>(, \]\v lirsl procrcdini^s of our Privy
C'oniK'il, in \\\r r('i;ulalioM of i>ur romnwrcc
nilli tlxr ImiIUmI Slnlrs of Amrri(';\ uiidtr this
act, wrrr liis Mnicsiv's orders in connril, of llic
14tli of iMay and (illi of Juno, M\V,], adiuillinii
Anuri(^ui pnxhn'c and niaiudaclnrcs into this
ronnti'N, at iho same rale of dnlies as was
charged upon the pnxhiee and luannfaelurcs
of our colonics. Areovdinii- to lhcs(; proela-
mations, no countiMvailin^" duly \vas charged
in favour of our own shij)s, nor was any cer-
tificate required, asusual^ thai the goods were
the produce and uianufat'tuves of the United
States.
Thus did our U\gislature, by lliis act of th(^
12lh of Mav, 1783, at once set aside and render
Uug-^tory (as far as n^gardod the United States)
those very h\ws w hich had not only reared, hut
were so essi iilial to tlu^ protection of our ship-
ping and couiuierce, — pulting the regulation of
nil or.r ronuuercial concerns wit.li that coiuilry
into the pow-'r of the Privy Council, who, it
nill he observ(xl, lo^t no time in exercishig
■
if
I
iimi>^*%
(\
copu'
lev lliis
il.oftbc
into lliis
;is ^vtl^•
archives
any c^»-
Otis Avero
. Uiiitrd
Id of \\w
m\ render
Ll Stalos)
larod, but
our ship-
ilation of
i couulry
|l, who, it
exercising
-fc^
-#
tn^iTtsir AMF.T?if An c;of,ONn:s.
147
llieKe powriN; for, only Iwo days after they
Were vested with thiw d;nj»^<'rons nnthf)rity, they
aetiiidlyssuMilieed the ujnut hnlwark of our Hhi|v
piiii;, e()h)tiiid, Jnid eonininfial, interest to the
United .Stales. '^Pn snlisfy this new ^overrniient,
oin* nnnisfcrs rcjidily lr;iniph;d nnder f()r)t those
hiWH, of whirh Ihe most jioweifid nnlionR npoii
the eonlin<nil of J'inrope nrvcr eoidd c xtort from
tlieir pn!(h'('r,'ssorH tlic MniMlhisI, n laxation/' —
They withont he.sitation franked the Ame-
rieans the dnlicH eharsj^erl upon otiier forel^^n
pro(hiee,-^exeinpted their nliips; from eonnter-
vaihna; chity, and dispensed with a rertiticato
of the; origin of the goods imported in their
slii[)s: — thns, is our Privy (Joimeil to ho found,
at one<! robbing our revenue, discouraging
and disregarding our eoh)nies, by shutting
up tlie vahiable sources of wealtli wliich
they hehl out, — injuring our commerce, and
ruining our shij)ping, — and, moreover, ad-
mitting tliat very principle which Buona-
parte's insisting upon, has })een the principal
cause of tlie most expensive war in which we
have ever been engaged, and the most destructive
* Sec nol<', {». 115.
J. 2
U
■| !■
M i
^1
i li! ■' "
mI
~^ . ^
K
i'
i J
1
'r.
;|
%
H
, !
i
1.^
) -n
, I
'M '■
!V
' ■ f
.^1.
Ill
it i ^\
148
IMPORTANCE OF TUB
^vhicli lias over rag^(Ml iijjon the continent of
Europe ;— -Tianiely, lliat fre(3 ships make free
goods, that the ships nnturalize the property ; —
a principle erpially rej)n|:;nant to common sense
and sound reason, as it is hostile to the inte-
rests and safety of this country.
In the year 1807, there was also another
impolitic and unnecessary surrender of our
maritime laws into the hands of our Privy
Council, in respect to the opening of the ports
of our West Indian colonies to foreigners,
called the American Intercourse Bill.
This bill authorised the King and his suc-
cessors, with the advice of the Privy Council,
to suspend, during the present or any future
war, all the provisions of the Act of Navigation
in the British settlements in the West Indies and
South America, both as to exports and imports.
This measure was forced upon the shipping
and commercial interests of this country in
the most arbitrary manner. Instead of evi-
dence being examined, in order to have ob-
tained all necessary information upon a subject
of such immense importance, the great body
of ship-owners were even, upon solicitation,
refused an opportunity of defending them-
selves against this most capricious and violent
■nRlTLsn AiMKRH AN COLONICS.
un
itinent of
ake free
perty ;—
ion sense
the inte-
another
of our
ir Privy
the ports
rcignerSj
his siic-
Coiincil,
/ future
wigation
dies and
imports.
hipping
jntry in
of evi-
lave ob-
L subject
at body
citation,
them-
l violent
inroad ukkIl' upon interests, which conislilulc
the raain-spriiifi;- of our coninierce.* An act
which was to give pt.'iuianency and security to
an absurd practice vvhicli had already sacriticed
upwards of J '20,000 tons of oin* shippin^^ —
^((ual to three times tlie amount of all the ton-
nage which we annually clear out for the whole
ports of our JL^ast Indian possessions, — was
passed with much less hesitation, less caution
or consideration, than would have probably
been bestowed upon an act for the regulation
of the concerns of a turnpike or theatre.
It has been clearly shewn, in the beginning
of this chapter, that the relaxation of our
navigation-laws, in opening the ports of our
West-India settlements to Anierican ships has
* The variaus classes of petitioners against tlie bill, with
a degree of inoderntion highly commenilable at all times,
bnt especially under th/e present critical and alarming situ-
ation of the navigation ai)(} tr^ade of the empire, urged the
jjecessity of an inquiry on the subject before a committee ;
bnt all these entreaties in that respect were unavailing, and
the promoters of that ruinous measure denied to them that,
which had hitherto, in all other branches of trade, been
considered a matter of course, if not of right, — namely, the
appointment of a committee to inquire into the nature and
true merits of these respective cases.— ilir. Achcson^s Intro-
duction 'o his Collection of Rtpoita,
in
I
1 1\
■ I
I
IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)
1.0
1.1
1.25
ISO ■^™ MHH
II
2.2
1^
I ^ m
1.4
1.6
vl
Va
/:
:> ?
^ w aI^
^^%%*^
*5^ 3
^^^^V
'>
y
>^
Photographic
Sciences
Corporation
23 WEST MAIN STREET
WEBSTER, N.Y. MS80
(716) 873-4503
'%'■
..^^ €P.
y.
130
IMPORTANCE OP THE
I r I
I
1' ' >^
|i , I ii ,:.
been evidently a most unnecessary sacrifice of
our own shipping-interest. For, it is obvious,
that had the necessary information been ob-
tained, it would have been found, that if the
produce of the United Slates could not have
been dispensed with, in the supplying of our
West-Indian colonies, the admission of the
produce would have, at any rate, been the full
extent to which any relaxation of our naviga-
tion-laws would have been necessary in this
respect ; for, most assuredly, their ships might
have been spared vyithout the most distant risk
of inconvenience.
Another, and npon general principles, the
greatest source of mischief opened to us by the
admission of enemies property, arises from
the unlimited amount and iiicalculable irreiiiir
larities as to the quantity of enemies produce
imported by virtue of the act of the 43d Geo. III.
cap. 153, which is a canker-worm lodged by our
legislature in the great body of our commercial,
shipping, apd colonial iriterests, wasting its
very vitals, and, if uot removed, will, in tho
end, if war continue, iililmately ruin it.*
• That in the confident and genora! expectation that the
North Americans would not be permitted to carry on their
UmnSH AMERICAN COLONIFS.
151
^rmmm
By this act the produce and iiiauufacturts of
llie countries with \vhoni ^ve may be at war
oxport -trade during their war against Urn country, rousi-^
(lerablc shipments ul'iuanuiaclured guuds have already taiieu
place ; and others to a much greater extctit are now pre-
paring for Brazil and other places, for the solr purpose of
having x:otton-wool in return, wiiich intended ex|>ort of ma-
uufactured goods will, ho«vcv«r, now receive a severe check,
by the knowledge of the ttfore-nientioued act of parlia-
ment, permitting the import of coltou-wool from tlie Uiiited
States, by neutral vessels.
That many of our manufacturing people will cojiscqut?ntly
be throu n gut of e.mploy, mud 4uany o^' vur coiuuvercial meu
meet with severe losses.
That much of our shipping, whicJi would otlierwisc be
beneficially employed in tlie export of our manufactures and
the bringing home of considerable quantities of cotton-
wool from the Brazils, and from the East and West Indies,
will now remain unemployed ; the effects of which are al-
ready felt to a very considerable extent, by the fall in price
of freight for British shipping to and from the ]ir<izils.
That it is humbly submitted to be sound policy and con-
sequently to be highly expedient, that the natives and resi-
dents of our own colonies, together with those of our allie?',
who conatantly take from us our manufactured goods in
payment of their produce, should have the exclusive privi-
lege of supplying us with the raw material, in preferenc*;
to those who prouibit and interdict our commerce and ma-
nufactures.
That if North America be permitted to carry on her ex-
port-trade duruig the war, by neutrals, she will, by suv.h
V I *
'< Ml
i^
i\''i'
i'
a\
• i'l
■a ii
- '1 'i ^^■
■ill
'm
(I
■It i'iP;.'
,1
'M
1
!i-i^-^'-'
^{ Ik
'in
• !■ '
■i\
iM^
i=
■ .1!
i?j i
'I I
♦*•
^rk
,'i
152
IMPORTANCE OF THE
are admitted into Great Britain, direct from
enemies ports, in neutral ships, and liable
only to the same rate of duties as they were
chargeable with in time of peace.
For some few articles of indispensable ne-
cessity, we may be rendered dependent upon
our enemies for supplies. In such cases,
however, care ought to be taken to ascertain
whether or not we could obtain a sufficient
supply, by confining the importation to our own
^hips, and measures adopted accordingly.
Every species of enemies produce, of which
we could obtain sufficient quantities from our
own colonies and friendly nations, ought
certainly to be prohibited, as it was by the
laws which existed previous to the passing ot
this act. But, as to such articles as could not
altogether be dispensed with, whilst, at the
same time, an adequate supply could be ob-
means, have the exclusive advantage of su)>plying, with her
cotton-wool and otlier articles, all the European markets,
where tiie ports are not blockaded ; to the obvious disa(^-
vantage of our manufactures, merchants, and ship-owner^,
who would otherwise have the supplying of those markers
from hence with our manufactured goods. — Mr, Lyme's l^dte^\
to Lord Castlereas;h.
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
153
tained from neutral ports, then let us limit the
importation of these to our o>vn ships ; and of
such goods as we could not dispense with, i.or
obtain tiic necessary quantity from neutral
ports ; in such cases only this act could be ju-
diciously had recourse to.
Timber, for example, is an article of such
indispensable necessity, that, wei'e we reduced
to a dependence upon our enemies for our sup-
plies of it, considering its great bulk and com-
paratively small value, we should certainly find
ourselves under the necessity of admitting it
direct from the ports of our enemies, in neu^
ti'al ships, and, failing thfm, even in those oi
our eneuiies.
Instead, however, of being under or even
liable to this necessity, of late years, our own
colonies, even without the least aid from any
foreign country whatever, are capable of fur^
nishing us with the most abundant supplies.
Cotton, as a raw material of the ye|*y first
importance to our manufactures, is also an ar-
ticle of indispensable necessity. Were we
therefore rendered wholly dependent upon our
enemies for this important article, we should,
jio doubt, be obliged to secure supplies, either
1 f'
-!1
in
4:i
If
\'
V
!l
I u /'
t!
,11
m
\ }
,ii.'^
'V
,1
■i
I;.'
154
IMPORT/iNCE OF THK
from neutral ports by our own ships, or, ac-
cording to circumstances, even to admit im-
portations, under tliis act, by neutral ships,
direct from enemies ports.
Under existing circumstances, howevrr, not-
withstanding that cotton has become an article
of the very first consequence to our manufac-
tures, this act is altogether unnecessary for the
encouragement of its importation. ^
Our own East and West Indian colonies,
and the countries in amity with us, such as the
Brazils, &c. are capable of amply satisfying
all our demands ; at any rate, with such cotton
of the United States as could be obtained from
the ports of neutrals, taken as prizes, &c. they
would afford the most abundant supplies.*
* The unfortunate planters in the late Dutch and British
colonies, deprived of that clioice of market which the fo
reign planters enjoy, arc compelled to send Iheir cottons to
this country ; their supplies, whatever they may cost, must
be drawn from hence : their poverty puts it out of their
power to hold back their crops, however much at times it
might be for their interest to do so, and though now loaded
with additional freight and insurance consequent upon the
American war, they pay the same duty here with the neutral
foreigner, who is exempted from all these consequences ;
Uierefore, from them, thus depressed and broken down,
IIUITIBH AMERICAN COLONIES.
155
The present importation of cotton from the
United States, and the preHent and late 'inporta-
tions of timber from enemies countries, are,
therefore, and have been, unnecessary ; they are,
indeed, measures of great hardship and i]i-
justice towards our own colonists and ship-
owners, and impolitic and ungenerous towards
our antient and faithful allies, the Portuguese.
Hemp is likewise an article of imperious ne-
cessity, for purposes of the first importance.
For our supplies of this article we have been
thrown on the mercy of their country, yet treated worse
than strangers, no change of measures are to be appre-
hended.
I have, my Lord, next to contemplate the probable results
that are to be expected, if the import of American cottons
is restricted to British ships from neutral ports. The adop-
tion of this measure would be returning to the system of our
navigation-laws, and the performance of an act of justice
to the JJritish ship-owners. This system, I will venture to
assert, ought never to be departed from, but under circum-
stanceb of the most urgent pressure and necessity, such as,
in the present case, 1 humbly contend do not exist. Our
naval greatness and commercial consequence are admitted to
be closely connected, ii not depeudcnt upon our adherence
to its principles, and that they cannot be departed from,
without feeding the resources of the enemy, or the neutral, at
our expense.— Mr. Gladstone's Letter to the Board of Trade.
A
\-
*^
M
I' >
Vi 1
hit
\<t
1
\\i
I .
'if
I
;'j
^
■'■ ii
P^J'
)l
'1'
»3
li
t, »#
•'ii
i '•. I
i I
Hi-
i' :
156
IMPORTANCE OP THE
hitherto principally dependent upon foreigners ;
and, considering that but few countries pro-
duce it for exportation, and that, from the
peculiarities of the situation of those countries
from whence it can only be obtained, when
we pre at war with them, our supplies are
generally not to be procured from neutral
ports; and, therefore, this act might, at cer^r
tain times, be very properly put in operation
for the admission of this important commodity,
in neutral ships, direct from enemies ports. . .
The same mode of reasoning applies to every
item of which our i^iports consist, viz. either
as adduced with respect to timber, cotton,
or hemp ; the whole ought, therefore, to be
classed accordingly.
In the first place, for example, all articles,
(the produce of an enemy's country,) being
articles of which we could obtain a sufficient
supply from our own colonies and countries
in amity with us, ought, undoubtedly, ac-
cording to the above observations respecting
timber, and agreeably to our old maritime
laws, to be prohibited, except imported in
our own ships, and warehoused, for cxpor:*
tation.
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
T57
Jii the second plac(\ all articles, (the produce
of enemies countries,) lieincj articles of which
we could not obtain sufficient supplies from
our own colonies and countries in amity with
us, but of which a sufliciency could be procnred
by only admitting; such articles of enemies
produce from neutral ports, according to- the
above observations respecting cotton, ought to
be admitted only in British ships : — And, ••^'
In the third place, all articles, (the produce
of enetnies countries,) being articles of which
we could not obtain adequate supplies from
our own colonies, — countries in amity with
us, nor even from neutral ports, according to
the above observations respecting hemp, ought,
no doubt, during the existence of such circum-
stances, to be admitted from enemies ports in
neutral ships. ' ' Vr,
Had every item of which our impoi*tation«
consisted been judiciously cla.«sed under one or
other of these three cases, and our importations
regulated accordingly, our colonies would have
been now in a more thriving state,— our shipping
in a more flourishing condition, — and our whole^
commercial and manufacturing concerns iftf.
finitely less liable to those glaring irregularities
1!
( ■
in
! I
M
il
in m
I; i
' :'
hi
^i:
)1 '
'•I
i\i:
,c ■ I
5f
ii; : M
I
'■'
r
^
I' >
.,1; il
Mv ^in
i, i
■
"i i
i I A.
l5n
IMPORTANCE Ol' TITI^.
which they have of late experienced, — irregu-
larities which have, to an alarniinjGf extent,
converted our merchants into adventurers,
and our mariners into sniuj2;glers, under the
patronage and direction of a British Privv
Council ! /*
For the sake of one or two articles, how-
ever, this sweeping act has been adopted, le-
velling all the privileges and ailvantagea which
our colonies, and the nations in amity with us,
have an undoubted right to enjoy; placing
them, in fact, upon a footing with our most
inveterate enemies. '
The injury which our North- American pro-
vinces — and the greatest of all the many in-
juries which our shipping interest have sus-
tained from the importations made under this
act has been in the importation of timber : — for
our shipping has been injured by being de-
prived of the carriage of it, which would have
• * The connivance of our legal authorities at our own and
the ships of foreign nations, trading to our ports by licence
under false colours, and the consequent perjury inseparable
from such practices, proves this assertion to a demonstration.
as
BRITISH ..MERICAN COLONIES
15f>
i
hocn secured to them if brouji^lit from our own
colonies ; and our American colonies liaTo
been injured both by the irregularity and in-
calculable amount of the quantity introduced,
as well as in the admission of it upon any
terms ; these provinces being capable (as I
have clearly shewn in the next chapter) of
supplying all our demands fbr that article.
It may not be improper here to remark, that
the scarcity of specie has been attributed to
our licensing system, mereiy for the purpose
of shewing, that, although this scarcity had
not existed the ruinous tendency of this perni-
cious mode of carrying on our commerce,
might have been discovered ; and, therefore,
that, were an abundant supply of the precious
metal again to supply the place of this Scar-
city, or, in other words, were Bank-of-Eng-
land notes again readily convertible into spe-
cie, it would afford no proof that our li-
cense-trade was profitable to the country
and according to the principies of sound po-
licy. "'■ • • ' ••'''''! '*''' '* •' '''*^"' ■•'!■•'■;" . • ■ ■ '^
The scarcitf'of specie, felt by government, pro-
ceeds principally from the immense expenditure
they have been led into for the very salvation oi
P
'it'll
■h
M
:i:
^
!;{:
^r
160
IMi'ORTANCi: OF THE
the country ; Imviiii; been left alone to defend
our own independence, and the aniient free-
dom of Europe, against the most powerful
enemy that ever assailed this or any other
country.
From this vast and necessary expenditure,
therefore, they have experienced, that nations^
like individuals, must necessarily find money
scarce in proportion as their means of pur-
chasing it are limited ; — that, v/hcn they are
not in possession of reat funds, their extraor-
dinary anticipations must produce inconve-
nience, and be made at considerable disadvan-
tages, which must be the case with respect to
large sums borrowed for the purpose of sending
abroad. : . .
Had the revenue of the country been even near-
ly sufficient to meet the public expenditure, the
present scarcity of specie would not have heidn
felt ; for the profits upon our commerce w^ould
have more than enabled them to have made all
the exports of bullion necessary for their fo-
reign expenditure, without producing any iii-
convenience. But, considering the enormous
sums that government have been imperiously
called upon to borrow, for the very salvation
HKITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
IGl
of the country ; and, purticularly, considering
the great proportion whicli our foreign expen-
diture bears to the whole, tlie profits of our
conunerce were unequal to balance such an cx-
liaurstins^ exportation of bullion, so necessarily
made, without producing such inconveniences
as we have felt.
These speculative projects of our Privy
Council, (I mean the licensing system car-
ried on under the 43d Geo. III. cap. 153,)
abstractedly considered, are certainly not cal-
culated to produce a scarcity of specie : for,
had these adventurous speculation«^ been, upon
the whole, proiitable to the country, instead of
draining us of our specie, they would, on the
contrary, have even contributed to our ability
to send specie abroad. This new method of
carrying on our trade with foreign parts, how-
ever, has been extremely ruinous, and, conse-
quently, a drain of specie from this country
has been one of the many ruinous effects which
it has produced.
To go fully into a discussion concerning our
licence-trade would of itself form a work of
great len»;th : it is not my intention, however,
neither is it here necessary, to go into particu-
u
♦ ■ r
I.
I
I
I
4if
'*■
i
J- 1
/ ■ !'
'!»t
m
'' n
fm i
fori
762
IMPORTANCE OF THE
lars, further than the few a^eneral ol)servalioiis
which I hare made couceniinp; its effects upon
our American provinces, and the consequent
injury which our shipping has sustained.
It may be further observed, however, that
orders of council may very properly be had
recx)urse to in cases of great urA sudden emer-
gency. For example, in the instance of those
retaliatory measures wisely adopted to meet
Buonaparte's Milan decrees, and to thwart the
projects craftily contrived by htm, and con-
nived at by the United States, for our de-
struction : but, in the above instances, orders
in council were introduced to suspend and
controul those wise and salutary laws of our
ancestors, calculated to regulate all our mer-
cantile transactions with America, and to have
provided amply for every contingency which
could have arisen out of such transactions.
And, if any new case shouFd have occurred in
the conmion course of business, it ought to
have been the subject of legislative investiga-
tion, and not disposed of in a summary way
by the executive branch of our government.
BRITISrt AMERICAN COLONIES.
t6,1
' '
ur THE HIGH PRICE OF OUR SHIPS AND THE
GREAT EXPENSE AT WHICH THEY ARE NA-
VIGATED, COMPARED WITH THE FOREIGN
SHIPS WITH WHICH THEY HAVE TO COME IN
COMPETITION.
With respect to the comparative difference
of expense at which our ships and those of
America were navigated, previous to the late
interruptions which have taken place in our
commercial intercourse with that country.
No. 4, in the Appendix, is an estimate which
shews a disadvantage against us, in this re-
spect, of no less than 28s. per ton, upon a six
months voyage.
Possibly in this estimate the exact value and
expense may not be correctly ascertained. It
is, however, notorious to every one who is ac-
quainted with these affairs, that foreign ships
are and have been, for some time past, navi-
gated at considerably smaller expense than
ours ; and, at the same time, it is more pro-
bable that the difference is rather under than
over-rated.
m2
i^
;;i('
li
^
'
it
! Jli
if
II "
t'":^
K
104
IMPORTANCE OF THE
The high price of onr ships, and the great
expense at which they are navigated, are cir-
cnnistances which, iji respect to our coawting;
and coh)nial trade, are no injury to our ship-
owner, — in this respect they only keep pace
wirh the price of hahour, and the prices of
things in general.
But this great expense, as far as it respects our
trade with foreign countries, being combined with
various other circumstances, is to our shipping-
interest ruinous in the extreme :— the ports of
onr colonies opened to the Americans ; — the
partiality shewn to foreigners, in respect to
the duties charged upon timber; — the enor-
mous advantages allowed the Americans in
countervailing duties, and our licensing sys-
tem ; — these, with the high price of our ships,
are calculated to sweep our foreign shipping
from the ocean.
Supposing the maintenance of our labouring
class of society cost five times more than
Ihe maintenance of the like class amongst
the Itussians, yet, if the Englishmen's wages
arf commensurate with the high price of their
liting', the disparity of prices does not render
them less comfortably situated, compared with
IS
at]
of
of
of
BKITiSH AMERICAN COLONIES.
165
the Russians. But how would such English-
Jiieu he circumstanced, were myriads of Rus-
sians to come into this country, and come in
competition with them for wages; the Russians
enjoying, at the same time, the unreasonable
advantage of having their subsistence funiished
to them at the same low rate they paid for it hi
their native country ? There is no doubt wages
would be reduced, and the Englishmen, in the
midst of plenty, might perish for want of bread.
Yet this case and that of our shipping-interest
are so exactly parallel, that, as certainly as our
labouring class would sufier under such cir-
cumstances, in precisely the same proportion
is our shipping as unreasonably and unjustly
suffering, and w ill continue to suflfer as long as
the cause which has been above-assigned re-
mains unremoved, or at least until its baneful
effects are rendered less injurious, by a careml
attention to other circumstances.
The difference of the value in the ships,
of the sailors w ages, of the price of provisions,
of the amount of insurance, &c. and, in fact,
of every item composing the expense of navi-
gating the ships of the respective countries
oudit to be taken into consideration, in
W iJ
■M
'1
IM
IMPORTANCE OF THE
:<
il
1 1 ft
Of J
hyp
J,
Iril
urn'
m
'i
j1
i
r
Ji
1 i
k: , ,1. Vii
, !
I
laying on the duties upon all importations
from foreign countries ; and, if the difference
should then appear against us, as in No. 5, an ad-
ditional duty, precisely equal to that difference,
should be charged upon all importations made
in foreign ships ; and then, over and above that
difference, a countervailing duty in favour of
our own shipping. .
Had this equitable principle been declared and
acted upon in our late commercial intercourse
with the United States, the additional duty upon
the produce of that country, imported in Ame-
rican ships, over and above tiiat charged upon
what was imported jn our own vessels, instead
of being 1^. 7 id per ton upon timber, would have
been, in the first place, 28^. (see No. 5.) and, iu
next place, a countervailing duty, equal to
what the Americans charged, which, accord-
ing to No. 4, in the Appendix, was jOS : 10,
being, together, ^4:18 per ton, instead of
the pitiful sum of Ij. 7 id. I
This rule, for regulating the duties for the
protection of our shipping-interest, equally ap-
plies to all foreign countries as well as to Ame-
rica ; and our shipping nmst actually either still
continue to suffer in every competition, or tliat
JiKITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
167
disadvantage must be attended to aod, either
directly or indirectly, counterpoised.
Possibly some difficulty might be ex|)e-
rienced in charging a direct extra tax upon
importations made in foreign vessels, to balance
the high price o€ our ships, by the o()position
of the governments of foreign countries, as it
is very unlikely that they would have occasion
to claim from us any such privilege, and may,
therefore, be the less inclined to acknowledge
the principle, however just in itself.
If such obstacles should prove insurmount-
able, which I admit they might, perhaps we
ought, therefore, to be upon the alert to re-
move all other disabilities, particularly those
above-mentioned; in the doing of which no
foreign governments would have any right to
interfere.
From the undue advantages allowed the
Americans, as appears from this view taken
of our transactions with that government, par-
ticularly in the relaxation of our navigation-
laws in favour of the United States, by opening
the ports of our colonies to their ships ; — in the
admission of their produce into the united king-
donij at the same rate of duties as that of our
h > *
V. n.
! i
'
I :.^.
^:^ii IP •'
<r ■ I
fi t
I V
■: I
fffi
'»(
1^
i*.
•
1
1^
!/:
168
IMPORTANrE OF THE
own colonies ; — in the advantages allowed their
ships in the countervailing duties charged by
the respective governments^ it is evident we have
been at once guilty of an improper partiality
towards them as regards other foreign nations,
and at the same time of injustice to our own
colonists ; and, also, of actually countenancing
a system which might ultimately tend to the
ruin of our own shipping.
Ml
w
.J
%
' i' '
' . )
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
169
CHAP. IV,
V^
' i'' 'ilk ' k
f)F THE EXTENSIVE, VALUABLE, AND IMPRO-
VABLE RESOURCES AND CAPABILITIES POS-
SESSED BY OUR AMERICAN PROVINCES, AS
i*ESPECTS OUR SHIPPING AND CQMMERCIAL
INTERESTS.
Regarding the important resources of the
British North-American provinces, it may not
be improper to make a few observations con-
cerning the qualities of the lumber exported
from these colonies, the carriage of that article
being, of all others, of the greatest importance
to our shipping.
! I
i^\
"■^,
i'i.1
1
Mi
Oak TIMBER. — This article is only exported
from the Canadas ; there being none produced
in the lower provinces fit for exportation.
i1
1
Iff'
170
IMPORTANCE OF THE
1^
ii
^ .' i
^ l-lit
ll'y^
V
/ 1-'
Quebec Oak* consists of two kinds, ^vlncl1
are white and red ; the wliitc is only exi)ort-
ed, tlie red not being considered merchantable.
The merchantable size is 12 inches and np-
"wards on the side ; and 20 feet long, and nj)-
vvards. There is not much bronght to market
iindin- 12 inches ; the i^eneral size is from 13 to
J(> inches square, and from 30 to 40 feet loii!^.
Jiisomefew instances, however, a few pieces mjiy
bo found to square even from 16 to 30 inches ;
and some sticks, perphaps, to run the length of
CO feet.
The quality of Quebec white oak is con-
sidered superior to any which we inq)ort
from any other part of America, or even from
Euroj)e. This may be proved by inspecting
the prices current at those ports, wherein all
the variety of qualities we import are to be
found.
Before oak can be exported from Canada,
it must be inspected by a person, aj)pointed by
government, for that purpose, and stamped as
* Canadian oak, from whatever part of the St. Lawrence
it is shipped, is generally termed Quebec oals.
n
V
[IV
ll M, M
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
171
incrcliaiitable. That which is rejected as iin-
merchaiitable is not allowed to be exported.
The faults for which it is considen^d uii-
jiierchaiitable are, its being red oak, under 20
feet long, — under 12 inches upon the side, —
having unsound knots, — being crooked or ill-
squared, — and its bef g ringed, which last is
the most general and the greatest of all faults.
Ringed timber is that whicii has begun to
rot or decay in the heart. When this disease
has but just commenced, it requires a good
judge to discover the defect, which, in a cir-
cular manner, appears, by shewing a small
shade of difference in the colour.
From this variety of the quality of oak in
the Quebec market, a pix>portionate variety of
prices are produced ; the unsound, perhaps,
selling at 6^. per foot, and the best at 2^. 6d,
Hence is the difference of the quality and cha-
racter of Quebec-built ships most satisfactorily
accounted for ; being built of timber which
differ 400 per cent, in price ; their quality must
of necessity differ materially, and, therefore, no
wonder that opinions the most opposite, con-
cerning their durability, may be formed by those
unacquainted with this circumstance.
hi
■i,.
' J.
.. i|>.
■ I
J'.*
M
II
172
IMPORTANCK OF THE
The quality of Quebec oak, compared willi
Eu^lish and Aniericati oak,* may be judged
of by the pric*,* it bears in the London and
Liverpool markets. In London its price is
generally a medium between that of the l>est
and that of the worst quality of English oak, —
maintaining a price about 20 to 30 per cent,
higher than the worst, and about the like pro-
portion under the best; and, in Liverpool, it
will be found to have commanded, for a inim-
ber of years past, a price about 20 per cent,
higher than that imported from America.
The quantity of oak timber exported from
Quebec,
LOADS.
In 1804, was 20^0
In 180G - - - 5452
In 1810 --- 22,532
Pine-timber. — There are two kinds of pine
or fir timber exported from Britisli North-
America, viz. RED and yellow. There is
* The oak-timber imported from the United States is ge-
nerally termed American oak, in contradistinction to that
imported from Quebec.
ni
th
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
17.1
none of what is properly terinod white pine
exported Ironi these provinces.
At the port of Qnebec, as well as in the other
ports of tiieSt. Lawrence, pine-timber, as well
as oak, njnst be inspected, and found nier*-
rhantable before it can be exported.
Neither red nor yellow pine is merchantable
under 12 inches on the side, nor under 20 feet
lonp^.
Yellow pine runs from 14 to 22 inches on
I he side, and, in some instances, even to 30,
and from 30 to 45 feet in length : it may be
had, however, 50 to 60 feet lona^, and upwards.
Tt is oeiiemlly perfectly straia^ht, and remark-
ably free from knots. Indeed, many sticks,
and even whole lots, are to be found without
even a single knot ; this is to be accounted for
by the extraordinary length of the timber of
the Canadian forests in general. When the
trees ai'e felled, they must be greatly reduced
in length, that they may be the more conve-
niently hauled to the rivers which are to float
them to market ; a large proportion of the top
part, with all the knots, is consequently cut
off.
Red pine was little known in Canada be-
' r 4
i '
M,
it
W»i'
f
II
«'■';
'• 'In
1 I
174
iMPORTANtE OF t«lf
fore the year lfl08, when there was a small
<|uaritiry oxporteil. In 180f), the quantity
nhipped was very considerable; indeed, as-
8oon as it was particularly inf|uired after, it was
furnished in abundance. Quebec and otiier
British American red j)ine, for strength and
durability, is equal to any which we import
from any other country whatever.
The quantity of pine-timber exported from
Quebec,
LOADS <
In 1804 was 1,012
In 1806 2,761
In 1810 69,271
;i
u.
t
it
i' •.'■ .! ■ ■
Masts. — Government have been for some
years past principally supplied with masts
from our American provinces. These colonies
furnish mast of the largest dimensions, even to
35 inches. The proportionate dimensions of
masts are three feet in length to every inch ia
diameter, at the partners, with the addition of
nine feet. A thirty 35-mch mast is, therefore^
1 14 feet long, which is about the greatest length
wanted in the Royal Navy. Yellow-pine-^
masts, of the largest dimensions; are to be h&d
T .
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
175
m the greatest abundance; but of rod pine
lliere are few to be found above 20 or *21
inches. . , , .
The number of masts and bowsprits exported
from Quebec, >
PIECES.
In 1804 was 115
In 180(> 354
In 1810 7,055
Deals. — The deals (or i>ine-plank, as Ibey
are tecknically termed in Canada) which are
exported from that country, run generally
from 2 to 3| inches thick, 7 to 11 broad, and
12 feet long. They are not reckoned by any
particular standard, but are sold by the thou-
sand superficial feet, of their resi>ective thick-
nesses, reckoning 1200 to the thousand.
Th<=!re is no branch of the Canadian timbei:-
Irade more capable of improvement than this ;
nor would any other improvement which could
be introduced, be attended with more beneficial
effects both to the British and Canadians. It
has, indeed, within these last few years, been
greatly improved. A few years back tlie deal«
and boards which were brought to market con-
■ i
' tk *
m'Y
''Aw
^r
\
■I , ,-'
I' I •
^ I ■ '4
mA"iv
Ml
i>
I i ' i
176
IMPORTANCE OF THE
skied of tlio mobt irrej^ular dimensions, both in
length, breadth^ and thickness. What are now
produced, however, are principally reduced to
some particular standard, pjenerally to 12 feet
loll^• and either to 2, 2f, or 3 inches thick, and
fnuii 7 to n inches in breadth, but principally
7, f), or 11. It is to Mr. Usborne, late of
Quebec, that the pubKc are principally in-
debted for this improvement in the manufacture
of deals in Canada. There yet remains a great
deal to be done, however, in the improvement of
this l»ranch of the Canadian timber-trade, both
as regards the manufacture or preparation of the
articie, and as respects an increase in the quan-
tity exported. — The British government have it
in their powsr, and ought to secure, a demand
for deals in Canada; and the Canadian go-
vernment have it in their power, and ought to
encourage their preparation throughout the
country, generally. * ^ • • ' ;
It is of importance to observe, that, although
throughout the most populous part of Lower
Cunnda, particularly upon the banks of the
8t. liinvrence, !)elow Montreal, that no trees
lit for being converted into masts or square
tiui}>er, now remain; yet, nevertheless, upon
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
177
those wood-hincls which necessarily yet re-
main, such as those parts which are unfit for
agricultural purposes, parts reserved for fuel,
&c. there are to be found abundance of trees,
fit for deals, of various lengths. Indeed, by
adequate projection and encouragement, a
sufficient quantity might be furnished, not only
for the supply of Great Britain and her West-
Indian settlements, but also for all Europe.
The chief support of the American shipping
has been the exportation of deals, boards, and
staves, which have been of late principally ob-
tained from those parts of the United States,
which have been for many years cleared of all
the trees fit for masts or square timber. The
consideration of this circumstance shews the
importance of endeavouring to discover the
cause why such a valuable source of wealth is
so much neglected in the British North-Ame-
rican provinces.
The quantity of deals and boards expo\ied
from Quebec, '
I ' ' : PIECES.
In 1804 was 69,067
In 1806 66,166
In 1810 312,432
n-
I
V
ji]
\ 7 I r
1 1
<:?
'H 'l
: :(
1 -t-
4 (:i
178
IMPORTANCE OF THE
Staves.— The exports of slaves are princi-
pally from Canada, from ^vllence the most
abundant supplies may be obtained. Quebec
staves form a very important item of the ex-
ports of Canadian biniber. As they constitute
brol<;en stowage to ships, which take in cargoes
of masts and timber in the ports of the St. Lau-
rence, at the full rate of freight, — whereas, from
most other ports, the broken stowage of ships,
timber-load, affords comparatively but a mere
trifle of freight, — renders them of vast import-
ance to the ship-owner, and they consequently
a^ftbrd great encouragement to the exportation
of lumber in general. i c'*>;
The encouragement of the exportation of
staves from Canada is, indeed, in many I'espeets,
of great importance ; they are not only a va-
luable article for the assortment of otlier car-
goes, but cons^titute an immense tonnage for
the exclusive employment of ships in the car-
riage of them alone. . ^ <
Their quality is excellent, commanding in
the London market, at the present moment,
prices equal to those imported from Dantzic.
Staves is an article of indispensable necessity
to the motl^er-country ; to obtain supplies,
,ii
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
179
tlierefore, from her own colonies, must be a
very desirable object ; and, consequently, the
abundant quantity, and excellent quality, of
those to be obtained from Quebec, must be, to
her, considerations of great importance.
The quantity of staves exported from Que-
bee,
PIECES.
In 1804 was 1,061,195
In 1806 1,803,234
In 1810 3,887,306
The most important articles of British North-
American produce and manufactures being
lumber and agricultural produce, I shall there-
fore endeavour to shew, that these colonies are
capable of supplying the most extensive demand
•which the mother country and all the other colo-
nies, which she possesses, can afford for timber; —
that, if their resources are encouraged tojiozv in
their proper channel, they are adequate to supply
our IFest-Indian settlements with flour, provi-
sions, 8$c, ; — and that it only requires a little
well-directed attention to render them capable
of supplying the mother-country xvith hemp and
Hax.
%
I'.V
.'■( ■
' !;
X t!
180
IMPORTANCE OP THE. . X
r,
i .Ui.l
».
..» i:
4
If
;■ Y
« ■' ii ,v
THE BRITISH NORTH-AMERICAN COLONIES CA-
PABLE OF SUPPLYING THE MOTHER-COUNTRY
AND. HER OTHER COLONIES WITH TIMBER.
As to how far the British provinces are ca-
pable of supplying the mother-country and her
West-Indian possessions with lumber, it may
be observed, that no person in any degree ac-
quainted with these parts would dispute the
adequacy of the British-American forests to
such supplies.
If, therefore, they do not supply these mar-
kets, it must be for one of the following reasons,
viz. either that there is not a sufficient popu-
lation to prepare and bring the produce to
market, or that other markets, coming into
competition with these colonies, obtain a pre-
ference.
With respect to the adequacy of the popula-
tion to furnish so large a quantity, it may be
fairly stated, that this very population has been
hitherto completely adequate to supply the
market to the utmost extent which has been
liRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
181
hitherto called for. There may, indeed, have
been a scurcily of a few particular articles in
Home solitary iiistaTJces; but, in everyone of
these, such partial Hciircity has been uniforiuly
produced by a sudden demand, occasioned by
some unexpected continj^ency.
In the greatest demand for lumber which
has ever occurred, where a reasonable time ^or
cutting doWn, preparing, and transporting, the
articles, has been allowed, the market has been
uniformly supplied to a commensurate extent.
For, since the additional duty has been im-
posed upon timber from the United States, and
the supplies from the north of Europe became
limited, on account of the war, the exportalions
from these provinces have experienced such an
immense increase as is at least sufficient to
convince us, that the supplies hitherto obtained
from them afford no criterion whatever from
which we could fairly judge of the extent to
which they are capable of furnishing these ar-
ticles: and, moreover, at this immensely-aug-
mented demand has been most abundantly
answered, at moderate prices, it is equally de-
monstrable that the quantity hitherto obtained
'!' 'II
.1.
'4 ,
|!i
i'' ,
fi
a:
in*
*',
i
I,
I!
•' i If
^1
n'
f^
4
I.
1
'^i
w
" *
!j •' «
I : IS
r i: r l'^^
182
IMPORTANCE OF THE
from these colonies will not, in the smallest
degree, prove them inadequate to supply the
mother-country, and her West-Indian islands
also, with all the lumber they require.
By inspecting No. 2, in the Appendix, it
will be found that the exports of lumber from
the British provinces, in 1806, was 95,975
loads, and in 1810, 311,114, of which 160,932
loads were exported from Quebec, being about
five times the quantity exported from that port
in 1806; yet, notwithstanding this vast increase
which took place, no scarcity was upon the
whole experienced. For, although there might
have been a short supply of some particular
articles, there were more of other articles than
could be taken off; and this superabundant
quantity, perhaps, amounted to ten times that
of the deficiency.
Notwithstanding the immense shipments
which were made from Quebec in 1808, 1809,
and 1810, as will be found m the list of exports
from that port, as stated in No. 1, there still
remained a considerable number of articles
unshipped in the fall of the latter year. And
in that fall, although the prospect of a greater
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONICS.
183
demand the ensuing season was very evident,
timber was contracted for at even lower prices
than those at which contracts were made in the
preceding year.
Indeed, one of the most convincing and de-
cisive proofs of the abundant resources of
lumber which the Canadas possess is, that
excepting the article of oak -timber, prices ac-
tually continued declining from 1807 to 1810,
notwithstanding the enormous increase which
had continued to take place in the quan-
tity exported, (as has been already stated).
The price at which staves and pine-timber
(which articles constitute the principal bulk
of the exports of lumber) sold, during the
summer, and which were contracted for in
the fall of 1810, was not much above half
the price which prevailed during the sum-
mer of 1807.
Another most important circumstance that
may be noticed, concerning the abundant re-
sources of lumber which these colonies possess,
is, that in three or four years the increase in
the exports of that article, from the port of
Quebec alone, was equal to the whole supply
of our West-Indian possessions. For, by in-
:jJi
';
\ \
r'T
l««
■J
mrfi
M
I'
i:
I. I'
Im
n
•i
ii
i; ! I I'll
W tt tit!
184
IMPORTANCE OF THE
spectiug Nos. 2 and 6, in the Appendix, it will
be found that the increase in the exports of
that article, from the port of Quebec, from the
year 1806 to 1810, was 127,998 loads, whilst
the annual supply of our West-Indian settle-
ments was only about 117,740 loads. And it
is of material importance to remark, that, not-
withstanding this increase, so far from the ex-
tent of the supplies '.vhich may be obtained
from the Canadas being ascertained, that the
market was equally well supplied with every
species of that article, and the capability of a
still farther increase apparently greater than it
was four or five years before, when there was
but about one-fifth part of the quantity ex-
ported. . , . . ,, ,,;
\ Indeed, it is evident, as the pernicious laws
and regulations which affected the exportation
of lumber from British America ceased to ope-
rate, the exports of that a,rticle experienced a
proportionable increase. i ^
These important and now-established facts
shew the genuineness of the opinions of those,
who, a considerable time back, advocated the
capability of these provinces to f'lrnish our
West-Indian possessions with their supplies of
I ' !
BRITISH AMFHTCAN COLONIES.
185
lumber. For, hut a few vears airo, tlios^ who
asserted that the Britiwfi provin(;es possessed
this oapa!)iiity, were literally lan<2,hed at. SucK
opinions beinia: held up to ridicule by mer-
chants, whose profits were arising out of mea-
sures at variance with the interests of their
country, were then ridiculed or disregarded,
and, therefore, the arguments used to prove
that the pernicious consequences of those iui-
polilic commercial treaties, which we had en-
tered into with other coimtries, and that most
mistaken policy by which the commercial in-
tercourse between our West-Indian islands and
the United States was regulated, were the
causes which prevented the British provinces
from supplying our West-Indian possessions
with lumber, were considered as futile and
ridiculous.
The advocates for the American interest had
only to urge in reply, what these colonies, thus
crippled and discouraged, had hitherto done ;
and this bare assertion was considered, by the
superficial politician of the day, a sufficient
refutation of this now-indisputable and sub-
stantiated fact. For, in the short period of
three or four years, the increase of the tx-
fe ft ■'<■
1 tfc
•it
■\.,:
l'^]
(I
186
IMPORTANCE OF THE
'• i
•'
1 '-f<!i
U! It
ifiH'l
i>
ml
portation of liiinher, from \he Canadjis alone,
was equal to the whole doiuand of our
West-ludian islaiicls ; and that the oak-
tiniber, exporled in 1810, from Qiichec only,
•was more than e(|nal to half the (jnnnlity
annually used in the whole (»f our i^overnment
dock-yards, are fa^ts so broadly fouiuh-d, that
not all the sophistry of those, who, eitlxn* from
sinister motives or erroneous hypotheses, es-
pouse the cause of the Ameriean ji:ov< riiment,
nor all the eloouence of tlie advociiles of the
United States in the British parliament can,
in the remotest degree, controvert.
For, althouj^h our own legislators, misled by
the advice and information of interested in-
dividuals, continued ignorant of this valuable
source of national wealth, and, in that igno-
rance, persisted i?^. damming up its current with
the very rubbish which they removed to clear
a commercial channel for our bitterest enemies,
yet the operation of time and circumstances
have brought about events which have exhibit-
ed to full view the vast importance to this trade ;
and, ill the short space of four years, raised the
freights earned by our ships, in the exportation
of the produce cf these provinces, from less
BRITISH AMRKICAN COLONIKS.
187
lliau ^1,000,000 to nearly ^ •2,rjOO,UOO *
Our enemies, by their inwalialjle avarice, eii-
<:oura;^«'(l by that tanieness with wliieh we sub-
mitted to their artiiices, — by their inordinate
ambition, engendered ])y British pusilanimity, —
and by their unmerited envy and hatred, blasting
their own mahgnant j)ur|)oses, have thus re-
vealed to us tins most important fart.
The Americans, by their embargo, with-
held all those supplies with which they were in
the habit of furnishint^ us ; and Buonaparte,
by the rigors of what he termed his continen-
tal system, prevented our supplies from the
north of Europe: and, what is a still more
important consideration, the vigorous measures
of this oppressive and too-successful tyrant,
prevented, at least in a considerable degree,
the operation of tlie baneful effects of our
ruinous licensing system, and thereby produced
a most uncommonly large demand upon Ca-
nada for lumber ; — a demand, however, which,
notwithstanding its having been so large and
unexpected, was as abundantly answered as
* See No. 8, in the Appendix.
4V
UW:
fl •
i':* '■■ '
^1 i: ,
!■ ^ V.
1.
188
IMPORTANCE OF THE
■ 'ill
Ml]
i
n
II t 1 >i
■'I '-
1^
that which was experienced three or four years
preceding, when no more than one-tiftli part
of the quantity was rj<|uire(l.
It was then made clearly manifest, that
the quantity of hnnlier, which had hitherto
been shipped from the British colonies, hore but
a very small proportion to the quantity which
these provinces were capable of furnishing.
Neither is it yet known to what extent they
could furnish this article for exportation, for
all which has hitherto been required has been
obtained.
Government have never found any difficulty
in obtaining abundant supplies of all the
timber they required ; such as square oak,
masts, spars, red and white square pine, deals,
staves, &c. ; '
For, up to the present moment, notwith-
standing the immense increase in the demand
for lumber of every description, which has
lately been experienced, they have always
found contractors ready to engage to furnish,
at reasonable prices, tlie largest quantities
which they have ever advertised for ; — this is
the best proof of the abundance which may
be obtained.
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
189
Any partinl scarcities, in the supply of mer-
chants orders, which may have occasionally
happened, are solely to be attributed to the
demand havini; been occasional and unex-
pected ; and because the orders were not sent
in time to have the articles contracted for from
the people who fell the timber in the woods
and float, it to the shipping-ports ; whereas, the
extent of the quantity wanted, by government,
being known the year before it is required for
shipping, has been uniformly furnished in the
most ample abundance. The amount of the
quantity which may be sufficient to supply the
demand for merchants, however, is always, in
some measure, uncertain ; and, consequently, as
the anticipated demand, is over or under-rate(f,
the scarcity or abundance will be proportion-
ably commensurate. Indeed, the greatest irre-
gularity and uncertainty of demand, and, con-
sequently, a proportionate fluctuation of prices
has prevailed for a number of years past.
The alternation of peace or war in the rorth
of Europe has had no inconsiderable influ-
ence in this respect ; but the most incalculable
irregularities and inconveniencies, experienced
by these provinces, in the demand for lumber,
I*
' ll
u
fll
i
•J
j;
1
'^ '.
mil
i
u
r
^1!
■■I
V 111 ^ -i'
, ii' I.
^^'M;
in
f 1 1 ^'
i ilf ill 'm
■ I.': J .. H''
inM
190
IMPORTANCE OF THE
as well as other articles, have arisen from the
importations received into Great Britain by
licences : and these irrecrularities were the sole
cause of the partial scarcities, whicli have, in
some solitary instances, appeared in these co-
lonies. ■
Now, however, as an interposition of provi-
dence has divulged the secret, and convinced
lis, (I had almost said against onr inclination,)
that we were in the possession of an abundant
source of the most valuable species of national
wealth, of which we continued ignorant, and
has clearly shewn us, that it was only our own
impolitic laws, and the improper arrangement
of our commercial concerns by government,
that prevented our receiving the most abundant
supplies from these colonies, let us not again
check the growing prosperity of these valuable
colonies by regulations similarly pernicious.
Considering the very small proportion that
the tonnage of the manufactures which we
export, bears to our imports or tonnage em-
ployed in foreign trade; and that this pro-
portion is rendered still smaller by the quantity
exported in foreign bottoms, it will appear that
H' '
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
191
the support of onr shippinc^ must, and does,
depend upon the carriage of our imports. '
For it will be found that, although the amount
of the manufactured goods which we export, is,
in point of value, enormously great, yet, in point
of bulk, Ihey arc comparatively small; and, con-
sequently, the amount of their tonnage, when
compared with the extent of the tonnage of
our merchant-shipping, is comparatively trifling.
The advantages which the country in general
derives from the exportation of our manufac-
tures are great in proportion to the amount of
their value; but the advantages resulting to our
shipping-interest, in particular, is but of trifling
importance in proportion to the comparative
smallness of I heir tonnage.
It, therefore, necessarily follows, that, by far
the greater proportion of our ships clearing
out, upon foreign voyages, are obliged to sail
in ballast ; and, therefore, the competition for
Ihe outward freights is such, that goods are
frecjueutly carried out at such a low rate, that,
in many instances, the ships that sail in ballast
are more successful than those which take
goods on freight ; the principal dependence
is consequently upon the homeward freiglit.
w
if J
1.02
TMPonTANrr, of Titr
u ■ u^
i- a
k
It follows, of roiirsc, tlint llu* \\m)h\ Imlky nr-
tioirs, or siirh nrliclcvs us nM|nin' \\w i;n'nlrst
quiiiitily of hinuu;;.', nmsi uocrsHnrily l><' of
the ^i*<nil« sj iiiiporiaiiro in this r('s|)('<'t ; nnd,
consiihMMOii [\\v iiumv Imlkv <M»uimo<lili('s which
tlio Hrilish INorth-Amoricjui ,n*«»viiu'rs prodtico,
honor liio intimnto connoxion holworn \\\v ini-
provemoni <»f onr shippini; and tho « n« onrai'o-
niiMit of thos(* ooh)nios. 0;ie of tho niosl im-
portant of tluiso artioh^s of prodnoe is liintM r,
which, aithonoh il ho hiit of coniparalivoly
sfntill vahio, is, nevertheless, of inth]it(*ly more
importance to us, in i very ronimercial point of
view, than all the rieluvs in India : — the tiniher
we have imported from these provinces han
hitely afforded five times as much employment
to British ships as tlie gross amount of all onr
Asiatic ii.iports. • - ' ' ••
The comparatively small value of lind)er
to its hulk, how«?ver, does not lessen its eon-
sequence as an article of trade ; hut, on the
contrary, render^ it of mon^ importance. For,
let it he rememhered, that a to!i of pine or tlr
timher j>ays proportionahly the same freight
as a ton of any of Ihe most vahiahle articles
which we import, il matters not to the ship-
1 ; iA
hi
nUITISH AMi:UICAN COLONICS.
li)3
t»\vin'r, whcllirr his ,s)ii|) carrii^s pine; tiiiilx'1%
wuilli only, Jit sliip|»in^, 2().s\ a Ion, or iiicli^o
woiili X700 a Ion ;— wlu'llier nluM-arriiiS cotl-
lisli (Voni Novvfonndland, or {jjold-flnst from
III! roasl. of ACrica, since conipoJilion uiust of
lUTcssily Inin^ (lie rrr'i;jfht of the one, coinpara-
livdy, as low as I In; fnnght of llio oIIht.
Jl is obvious, indeed, lliat llie hnlkicr the
article iJie more il becomes a nalional object
to secure the freij^ht of it : and, Iherefore, it
is ecpially desirable id secure the carriage of
the limber we iiuporl, as it is important to
protect and en(;oura^e our merchanl-shij)pipg,
— that sliippiiij; v.hi<;h supplies our navy with
men, and forms the very basis of that com-
merce l)y which alone we have become f^reat,
by which we are (;nal)led to support the great
e\|>('nse lliat securcis our dignity and indepen-
dence; nay, perhaps, our very existence as a
nation. Consequently, the bent of all such of
our commercial regulations as in any way con-
cern tlie importation of timber into t^iis country
ought to be carefully directed, so as to effect
this important purpose. And in no way would
it be more easily accomplished than by a proper
attention being paid to the inexhaustible sup«
■If
I
I
'*■
•lil
ti,
1 'V
■i
•|
'.f
il
I ..(
i.i
I
"i\
I' ' ,.
fi
O 13"
,1
mm
.flfl f
IN
:i fi
ill'
H
-;»
' . ' ii ^ fv;
I' '■■■ ■■• il'V-.
mm
v.: !
ir)4
IiMPORTANCK OF THE
plies of this article, which may be obtained
from our American provinces : the value, there-
fore, of these colonies to the mother-country
is great in proportion as her sliipping is im-
portant to her.
When we reflect that, agreeably to the opi
nion which generally prevailed, a considerable
number of intelligent persons have, even up
to the period of the occurrences which have
stated, respecting the late increase in the quan-
tity of lumber exported from the British Ame-
rican provinces, insisted that these colonies
were not capable of supplying our West-Indian
islands with that article. We cannot help con-
cluding that their opinions, regarding the other
productions of these provinces, may be also
founded upon principles equally erroneous, and,
therefore, their conclusions as false as they
have evidently been regarding lumber. For^
that these provinces are capable of supplying
our West-Indian settlements with that article
\s a fact now established beyond all doubt;
and, if this capability is not put in requisition,
it is the fanlt of the British government.
Of all our improvements in connnerce, whe-
ther in opening new channels or improving the
old, the improvement of the trade of our own
URITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
195
colonies is the most important, considering
that in this we enjoy, without rivalship, the
undivided benefit resulting from it. And, in
no instance, does this maxim more aptly apply
than in our trade and intercourse with our
American provinces, especially in the exporta-
tion of timber from these colonies, which, as
has before been observed, is not only most ad-
vantageous and encouraging to the improve-
ment of our commerce in general, but of the
most material consequence to our shipping-in-
terest in j)articular.
We have, however, in every article of im-
portance, but particularly in lumber, neglected,
discouraged, and sacriliced, the interests of
these colonies to the United States, almost up
to the present period : the birth of American
independence, which ought to have brought
and secured to these provinces a multiplicity of
privileges and advantages, was a death-blow
to their prosperity.
Indeed, the Americans enjoyed benefits from
this country, to the prej udice both of our co-
lonies and of our shipping-interest, of such a
nature, as, I believe, no nation ever enjoyed
from another before, namely, <ixclusive of the
o 2
n
^1
t
V
^^' til
;.*: m:
I'V 11 ' •'
w 1
^ i. -!
Vi"'
I-
''tl a'i
',h
106
IMPORTANCE OF THf
} i .
1'
I' f Hi!
:' I
\ i'Xr '
1 I lh'- :
'II
'■ (■ .
II
greatest advantages over other foreigners, the
rights and privileges of British sn bidets.
For their produce being admitted into this
country, at the same r?tes of duty as the produce
of our own colonies, whilst they, as an inde-
pendent nation, had the ports of all other coun-
tries, as well as those of Great Britain, open
to them ; whereas, the produce of our own
colonies being confined to the mother-country
for a market, they Avere thereby, at all times,
but particularly at such periods as they expe-
rienced a want of demand from other countries,
encouraged in glutting our markets with lum-
ber and other articles, thereby creating the great-
est irregularities in our supplies. Our colonists
were, therefore, unable to make head against
such a cu-rent of difficulties and disadvan-
tages;— being confined to the British ports,
where they were denied the rightful privi-
leges, which belonged to them,* both they and
our ship-owners were obliged, tamely, to sub-
mit to this monopoly of our supplies of Ame-
rican timber, by the United States, notwith-
standing the forests of our own provinces
produced that article, comparatively, of a far
* See Nos. 3 and 4, in the Appendix.
fl
dl
tl
tU
gners, Ihe
cts.
1 into this
le produce
i an inde-
her coun-
ain, open
our own
r-country
all times,
>ey expe-
:ountries,
nth lum-
he great-
colonists
I against
isad van-
ports,
privi-
hey and
to sub-
f Ame-
lotwith-
ovinces
')( a far
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
197
better quality, whilst our own ships, otherwise
unemployed and rotting in port, could have
transported it to the British market.
They had likewise, as has been already
fully explained, the supplies of our West-In-
dian plantations so completely secured to them,
that of 117,740 loads annually imported into
these colonies, they had an opportunity af-
forded them, by the impolicy of our govern-
ment, of furnishing 113,600; whilst the dis-
advantages, which our own provinces laboured
under, were such as prevented their obtaining
any larger share of this profitable trade than
about 3439 loads. And, moreover, they had not
only the furnishing of the supplies of these islands
thus far secured to their market, but the car-
riage of the goods to their ships ; so that out
of £ 1,766,639, which appears to be about the
amount of the freight of the principal articles
of luhiber, flour, grain, provisions, &c. annu-
ally imported into these settlements, their ships
earned ^1,477,301, whilst British ship-owners
were suffering the greatest distress, for want of
employment for their shipping.
The most convincing proof of the sacrifice
of our interests, in respect to the neglected
resources of lumber, v .ich these pro-
1
I
I
< r
I
J)
J
w <:
I'
r.
n
1,1
V
.1:
I
i >■'
i
:*
■U:i':^^
198
IMPORTANCE OF THE
i!
^ 1
■J
'-.,(■
h:
r §
lis
m
fit
!«,■
1^
M
vinces possess, (according to what 1 have
already stated,) will be found in the com-
paraijve araoinit of their exports of this ar-
ticle, which, for six or seven years previous to
the interruption of our commercial dealings
with America, was nearly stationary ; but,
upon an interruption of this commercial inter-
course taking place, when a fair opportunity
was afforded them, immediately increased to
an enormous extent; — the Canadas having, in
the space of three or four years, increased
their exports of lumber Ifive-fold ; and the other
two provinces having, in the same short period,
nearly doubled theirs : — the exports of timber
from these provinces were thereby, in four years,
raised from 95,975 loads to 311,114; adding
no less than ^'1,721,040 to the freights earned
by British shipping.
If these colonies, from the transient occur-
rences of these four years, produced the vast
addition to the freights of our ships in the car-
riage of our timber, with still as much, or even
more, apparent capability of increase as they
appeared to possess a few years before, when
they were shackled and c.ooouraged, — what
might not the operation of measures calcula-
ted to encourage the exportation of that article
■ m
ii\
nUITIsn AMERICAN C'OLOMKS.
IDJ>
havo pro<luco(l iu tlie course of lliirty years? —
which is Iho lajise of time since Aiiierlcaii in-
dependence, and Ihe period of our tirst peace
with that country ; — and I sincerely hope, that
as the Americans havo, even in opposition to
their own interests^ hy wantonly and malici-
ously lendin!^ themselves the degraded tool of
the scourge of the human race, put a period
to this peace and amity, that our eyes will be
so far open to our own interest as to make the
commencement of this war the termination of
the sacrijice of the rights and privileges of
British colonists and British ship-owners to that
degraded country.
CAPABILITY OF OUR NORTH-AMERICAN PRO-
VINCES TO SUPPLY OUR WEST-INDIAN SET-
TLEMENTS WITH AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE,
SUCH AS FLOUR, 9REAI>, GRAIN, PROVI-
SIONS, &C,
One of the most-important objects, which
would be answered by the exportation of flour,
&c. from these colonies, is the supply of our
West-Indian possessions.
I
A)-
n
i
|i;i
( ;■
,(
h
\ ;;;
II ■'
''t\
'Hi f, I
.^1
!::
I \
.-:f •*'
I' '
i'i
:(■
i
I" . I !
ft' ■
"!
i
1
f
-•"('
■ , t
■1
!
1
1
■
! I; v,v
i i;;|.:
I
i )^'s.
fill
t „ d''
Hi 1
200
IMPORTANCE OF THE
The adequacy of these provinces to such
supplies is a subject which has often been dis-
cussed in the British parliament, and by the
parties innnicdiately interested. But, although
these discussions have certainly brought forth
much important information, I may safely say,
they have never produced a single measure cal-
culated to bring about this desirable end.
However, that these provinces, o)\ even the
Canadas alone, are capable of supplying our
JVest- Indian settlements with flour, c^t. is a
proposition which I have no doubt I shall be
able to demonstrate in the clearest manner.
Of the supplies of flour, bread, and provi-
sions, hitherto obtained from our Nortb-Ame-
rican colonies, the principal j)art has been fur-
nished by the Canadas : and, moreover, as
these two provinces, from the superior excel-
lence of their soil, the immensity \i{ their terri-
torial extent, and other local advantages, possess
considerably the most extensive and improve-
able resources, not only with respect to fur-
nishing these, but every other species of agri-
cultural produce, it is to these provinces,
therefore, that we must principally look for
these important articles. I shall, consequently,
"^ . .
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
201
confine my observations respecting •<\'^r' ult iial
prodnce more particularly to the Canadas.
By looking into No. 0, in the Appendix, it
appears that 1,300,000 bushels of wheat and
other grain are equal to the annual supply of
our West-Indian settlements with flour, meal,
bread, and grain. The amount of these arti-
cles, hitherto exported from the Canadas, no
doubt, falls short of this demand, beinc^ only,
upon an average of eight years, equal to about
one-fourth of the requisite quantity, as appears
by No. 2, in the Appendix : this cicunistance,
however, and my present proposition, namely,
that the British provinces, or, even the Cana-
das alone, are capable of yielding these sup-
plies, can be satisfactorily accounted for.
Indeed, the causes which have hitherto dis-
couraged the exportation of flour and lumber,
as well as every other kind of produce, from
our American possessions, have been so many,
and operated so powerfully, (as may be ob-
served by what has been already stated,) as to
constitute matter of surprise, that the exports
from these settlements should have been so
considerable.
The demand upon these provinces for flour
\. If '
\
%
1
\^
• }
:. .1,
I i ii\ l
li
I.
'202
IMPORTANCF. OF THK
•/r i
■.:-l"'
! ii Sil i
'ii
I
and luinher Imviiift- bren of late |[;really in-
neast'd, and this inrreastMl dftniand lor InnihcT
hv'\\\^ alMnuianlly aiiswcnd, vvliilnt the exports
of wlitat and ilour ex|)erien(!rd but little in-
crease, does not by any means disprovi* my
jHoposilion ; for, altlion^li llie di>;advanta;j^es
whicli our colonies lalioured under mav, in
many respects, have alike hindcMed the expor-
tation of these articles, yet, in others, tlieir
eflects were very diflcrent in tlieir operation.
For example, the Canadian forests afford inji^
an inexhaustible supply of lund)er, and there
beinj*; a sufiicieiit number of hands to be ob-
tained to cut it down and float it to ujarket,
the large! t cpiantity which has or would be
wanted to complete the supplies, of which I
Lave stated these provinces to be capable of
furnislnng, has, therefore, been, and will con-
tinue to be, furnished in abundance. For, ex-
clusive of the lumber which the forests of the
British provinces produce, that of all the im-
inenise tract of the United States territory lying
upon Lake Chaiiiplain, the j^iouth banks of the
St. Laurence and its tributary streams, must
also either be shipped from the ports of the St.
Laurence, or remain an incumbrance to the
ih^
imiTISH AMF.RICAN COLONIES.
203
ground : — ||m3 wukrs upon uiiicli it grows must
float it to market,— to the ports of tlic »St. Lau-
rence, or it i« not worth the cut^in^: down. — If
there is no demand lor it in ports of the llrilish
|>rovinces, it must remain j^rowingj in the forest,
or be destroyed and consumed to make way
for agricultural improvements. — An<i even al-
though the British government should again,
(as they have for the last thirty years,) by the
strange and unaccountable encouragenjent and
facilities which they have unjustly ^iven to
American comn jrce, neglect and discourage
the interests of British subjects in this valuable
commerce ; yet it will at least be some conso-
lation, (however small,) to reflect that that part
of the timber of this extensive country, which
might thus be prevented from being shipped iu
the St. Laurence, cannot be shipped from the
ports of the United States, so as to come in
competition with shipments from the British
provinces.
But how very different the case is with re-
spect to flour and provisions; their exportation
is capable of being diverted into various chan-
nels, accordingly as it may be affected by po-
i^
i
1:^
t
iu
I
I
X:
' ;!•
:,«
.-ii V 1
i
'I
1
. . ■■■' ^\l
)
Iftfcri^
Mg
;iit
204
IMPORTANCE OF THE
litical circumstances. These articles being
the surplus produce of the laiids already clear-
ed and cultivated, and constituting- a conside-
rable portion of the means of the inhabitants
for supplying themselves with other necessaries ;
and from their small bulk, compared with lum-
ber, ihey are, therefore, capable of conveyance
by channels, through which lumber, from its
greater bulk, is incapable of being transported;
will, therefore, be raised in abundance through-
out this fertile country, and will certainly fmd
•a market, whetlier the British government en-
courage (or I may say allow) the exportation
of the'ii through the St. Laurence or not.
It is, indeed, to be regretted, that the first
fruits of the commerce of the vast tract of fertile
country now. settling along the Canadian fron-
tiers have been expelled the Canadian market,
by the impolitic measures of the British govern-
ment.* For when any branch of trade or com-
merce is (»nce established in any particular chan-
nel, the longer it is confined to that direction the
.tW^
• Sec pp. 8» lo lO*.
3 1 m
>;!
^i;
w ■
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
205
more difficult it will be to divert it from its wont-
ed course. And it may be observed, that the
current of commerce, arising out of the agricul-
tural produce of this extensive and fertile coun-
try, cannot, like that arising from the exporta-
tion of the wood of the forest, be checked in
the fountain, but has and will continue to find
another course, until our government shall open
that which is most congenial to it.
The ports of the St. Laurence are certainly
the most convenient for the commerce of all
that vast tract of country, lying upon the
banks of that noble river ; and the chain of
lakes which it unites, as well that upon the
American side as that upon the Canadian. In-
deed, nothing short of such confused and vac-
cillating measures as have hitherto marked the
disposition of all our commercial concerns in
that quarter of the world, will be sufficient to
prevent the trade of this part of America from
flowing in tliis its most natural channel.
A well-directed line of policy, respecting
these colonies, would, no doubt, add to the
Canadian exports the whole produce of this
important portion of the United States ; the
. i! V '
fl
!l
' .J, ;i-
^Mi
IM,
I
::r
ii
i ;'
^r i i'
it
\ \
%
ill H.
■ if ' .
#• fi-
lls
I rJ {Hi '
I'M '■
1'
206
IMPORTANCE OF THE
rapid settlement, fertility, and improvement of
which, and its contiguity with the navigable
waters and shipping ports of the St. Laurence,
have lately so greatly excited the jealousy and
roused the attention of the American govern-
ment.
The exportation of wheat and flour from Ca-
nada, viewed in all its bearings, is a subject
which exhibits a variety of circumstances that
altogether form the most comple'?, anomaly,
which we could conceive it possible to be pro-
duced.
It is a notorious fact, that flour and provi-
sions have been carried from the very banks of
the St. Laurence to the ports of the United
States, a distance of many hundred miles, by
various tedious and expensive means of con-
veyance, by land-carriage, by canals, by rivers,
&c. at an immense expense and loss of time ;
and, notwithstanding the goods were for the
supply of our West-Indian islands, commanded
a better price in the ports of the United States,
even after all this loss of time and accumulated
expense, than they r^ould have brought in the
port of Montreal, where, compared with the
iM
■'
BRITISH AMKRICAN COLONIES.
207
American ports, the produce might have been
carried in a much sliorter time and at a much
smaller expense.
The cauf^e of this transportation was very
obvious. Insuperable obstacles were tlirown
in the way of produce being shipped from the
Canadas to our West-Indian settlements; and,
consequently, the prices of wheat and flour
were regulated, in these provinces, by the de-
mand for wheat for the British market.
And, it is no less extraordinary than trne,
that, whilst tliese very occurrences wore taking
place, the question, whether or not, or how
far, our American provinces were capable of
supplying our West-Indian possessions with
American produce, was, at various times,
gravely discussed in the British parliament, —
evidence examined, with all the usual formali-
ties ; and the opinions, which appear to have
been the result of these inquiries, were, that,
although these provinces might, at some future
day, do much, yet they were not now capable
of supplying the British settlements in the
West Indies, — no, not even with lumber, nor
with ships to carry it from the United States:
and, therefore, as heretofore, we continued to
') j<
'■ 1 i
is
i
.■ir'
I
.(
1 5
i :
f.
At
I,
\ i i
5
•• I
.1, 1
1^
III
l^i
1 •
2()a
IMPORTANCE 01* THR
apply to the Americans for these supplien, and
fi^eiHTons' , to the exchision of our own ships,
employed theirs to carry the ;;oods to market.
Exchisive of the iiilbrmation winch might
have been derived from this unacconntable
transportation of flour from the neighbourhood
of tlie St. Laurence, to tlie ports of the United
States, a practice which had prevailed in Ca-
nadian commerce ever since the American
independence, was also suflicient of itself to
indicate the existence of sonie insurmountable
obstacle to the shipment of Canadian flour to
our West-Indian plantations, namely, the ship-
ment of wheat from Canada to Great Britain,
and flour from Great Britain to the West In-
dies, being tantamount to sliding wheat from
Canada to Great Britain to be manufactured
for the West-Indian market, whilst it could
have been manufactured to as great perfection
in the Canadas as in Great Britain, and sent
from Quebec to the West Indies at compara-
tively as low a freight and by a shorter pas-
sage.
It, therefore, appears, that, between mer-
chants commissions, shipping charges, freight,
insurance, out-lay of money, &c. not less than
i h iiit
^^
lies, and
/ii sliips,
riarket.
:h might
omitable
•
ourhood
5 United
d in Ca-
.inericaii
itself to
ountabU^
i flour to
;he ship-
Britain,
Vest Iii-
at from
'actured
t could
fectioii
nd sent
)iupara-
er pas-
mer-
frcight,
ss than
nUITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
209
G(L
the
was
_ er bushel* upc
tually sacrificed.
It may, therefore, be asked, why not manu-
facture the wheat in Canada, and ship the flonr
to the West Indies?— One would be ready to
conclude, that, if this was not done, it must
have been for want of mills to manufacture it,
ships to carry it, or merchants to carry on the
trade. With regard both to a want of ships
for this trade, or of mercliants to embark into
it, no such inconvenience existed, nor, indeed,
could possibly be supposed to exist : neither
could there be said to be a want of mills.
Although, for some years after the indepen-
dence of the United States, the mills to be found
in the country might not have been suflicient
to convert the whole wheat which was pro-
duced into flour ; yet, as there were many
■ L. » ' I I -II I I I I ' " . ' ' ' " " ' ' " ' " ' '
£ s. d
* Commission upon wheat, at 7s. Orf. per bushel 4f
Shipping charges, &c 3
Freight 2 7[
L^iijiling and warehousiiig in Great Britain, •\
interest, commission, waste, &c. and )• 1 3
merciiants profit
^
ifO 4 «
■I'
,1-
I
t
! ;
h '.>
■ M
•ill'
i^
.-. t.
I'.
210
IMPORTANCE OP THE
:i!iM
1 i
V t
i!-
I uf.'l
V!
mills subsequently erected, upon a large scale
luul accordiiii^- to the niost-iuiproved principles,
there is no doubt but tliat had such encourage-
ment and protection been j^iven to the exporta-
tion ol' flour fron) Canada to the West Indies,
as to have secured a steady demand, the mills
\vould have been found adequate to manufac-
ture all the wheat raised in the country.
Neither can it be supposed that either capi-
lal or enterprise was wanting. Indeed, where-
cver channels have been opened to British
commerce, it has invariably happeited, that
every branch has been so eagerly grasped at as
to prove, that, instead of either of these re-
quisites being wanting, there generally appears
a superabundance of both. ;»
If, however, the shipment of Canadian pro-
duce to the West Indies can be said to haTe
ever been a channel openetl to British com-
merce, it may very properly be observed, that
those who opened it left it in such an untimsh^d
and slovenly state, that it only proved a trap
to ensnare the British merchant, and deter him
from coming in competition with the Ameri-
cans, in the supplying of our West-Indian set-
tlements.
URITISH AMKRTCAN COLONIES.
211
scale
liples,
irage-
porta-
ndies,
; mills
nufac-
r capi-
where-
i^ritish
I, that
I at as
5se re-
ppears
,n pro-
|o haTe
com-
i, that
Inish^d
a trap
ler him
.meri-
Lii set-
It may not be improper to inrpiire wlio sus-
tains this loss of 4s. (5d. per hnshcl npon wheat,
incurred in tlie transportation of that article
from Canada to Great Kritain, and flotir from
Great Britain to the West Indies, as already
staled.
Respecting this inquiry, it may be observed,
that these islands appear to have been supplied
with flour from Great Britain, the Britisli pro-
vinces, and the United States ; and that a large
portion of the surplus produce of Canadian
wheat, and also a considerable proportion of the
flour, exported from the United States, were
regularly shipped to Great Britain ; and that
the prices of flour, both in the British provinces
and the United States, must have, therefore,
been regulated by the price in Great Britain,
and, consequently, comparatively much lower.
It is obvious, therefore, that our West- In-
dian colonists could have been supplied with
flour at a much lower rate from either of tlveso
markets than from the mother-coimtry ; and it
consequently follows, tliat had either the Britisli
provinces or the United States been allowed to
have afforded these supplies in a regular manner.
the prices in the West Indies would liave ror-
p 2
i
m
'i'
I
I
; I
it
.v
• I
^!l
\
ii
|iii^ii
f I
I' i
it I
! I
tMi»()RTANrr, or Tin:
ns|>on(lr»l willi \\\v prices in IIhsc marki'ls,
;ul<lr(l to tin* t^xponsr of* trsmsporlalioii.
Hill of Wwso tlim* nnnkrts, (inat hiilaiii
liiul only i\ I'lir, miinti rnipt<'(l, :ni(l unrcslrict-
rd, opporlnnily of iinpoiiinjC" lliis ailicio into
onr Mfsl-lndian islands. Vo\\ \\w inipoitK tVoni
lln^ UnilcMl Slali's wrrc [irooarions and uucrr-
tain, (Voni thrir \w'\\}^ only niad« in connr-
<puMjrr oftluj occasional snsprnsion of onr na-
\iiiat ion-laws, hy wliicli tlicy were expresHJy
prohihiliMl: — and tin* ini|>oriatiou of [>roduce
from tlu^ British provinces was a trade which
the irrejvnlar imports from the States, conpled
with th(^ }>ecnliarili(^s of Ihe climate, and the
local sitnation of these provinces, rendered ex-
tremely sjiecnlative and nncertain. — (ireat Bri-
tain, from her extensive and rej^nlar inlercoui'se
with th(» West Indies in other conunodities,
had, therefor<\ compared with the American
provinces, a better oj^mrlnnity of secnring- a
tair averap:e of that market for iier exports of
tlonr and provisions. ' ,
Let us supiiose the price of flour in Great
Britain, either at any i)articular period, or, upon
an avera2;e, before any of the late restrictions
were laid upon our interconrse with America, to
•I
1'
UIMTISH AMI.UirAN ( OI.ON I KS.
til3
I
have hern .£'.'$ piT Imirrl : \\w pnccs, holli in
(Jaiiadii and llic I lulled Slabs, lu'iiii; "••eiurally
iT^idalL'd l)y ilir iiriccs in (ircal I'lrilain, and,
as tlin <'.\|)(>nH(; of hansporlation iVoni cillici'
oonnlry to Knjuland woidd Im; ahont X ^ •'•♦'
price of iloxn' m lliosn inaikctH nuiHl have con-
sequently been X'-i l^'' •>anel. Here, thero
ibre, appears the niyntery — Avheat jc-onliiniin^
to be sent IVoni Canada to (ireat IJrilain, and
ilour as re;;nhirly hihi|)ped from (ireal Hrilain
to the West-Indian niarkel, which was open lo
llie Canadians upon Ihe same lernis as to (h<;
British — and the expenstMjl'Iransporlation from
each country, comparalively, about tlie same.
Nothing" can account for this, as 1 have already
explained, but the j»reat irre,mdarities, \\hi<li
prevailed in the West-Jndian nrarket, from tlio
iiianner in which the supplies from the United
States were introduced, couphut with the pe-
culiarities respecting* the British provinces, —
but, as already observed, peculiarities which,
unattended by such absurdities, Mould have
proved to be but little or no inconvenience.*
* See observations upon the opening of the \Hnib oi our
eoloni^s to the Americans, chap, iii.
'ii
.\
H
m
•I
<\.'
1, ■
1 1
> 1
i
1
1 i
1 ;
■'1
i;
1
Hi
t- I
•^•^U \[ii:
mm
[.
Hi Jl
U
ill 'Hi! r
^214
IMPORTANCli; OF THE
It is evident that t)»e imi)ortatioii of flour
into the West Indies, from Great Britain, must
have been I'onnd upon the whole to have an-
swered llie purpose of the importer, as may
be concluded from the quantity imported, as
stated in No. (j, in the Appendix ; it must have
one lin.ie with another paid the expense of
ira.ispoitation. This expense, which we may
compute at 20^, per barrel, as already ob-
served, added to the price in Great Bri-
tain, estimated at jCf), the price in the West
Indies musi have, therefore, averaged £4 per
baiTel,
Now, in the second place, as this average
price of flour in Great Britain would not have
att'orded more than X 2 P^i* barrel in Canada;
the expense of transporlation being* 20a\; and
ihe expense of transportation, from Canada to
the AV est-Indies, being* even comparatively less
tlian from Great Britain, it is obvious that,
imless some great impediment had interrupted
this intercourse, that either the inhabitants
of our West-Indian settlements would have
had flour from Canada at ^3 per barrel
instead of £-i; or, that the Canadians w^ould
have received £y3 per barrel for their flour, in-
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIFS
2l.'>
Stead of £2 : or, at any rate this 20,?. per bar-
rel must have been shared between them.
As it therefore appears, from the very consi-
derable and regular importation of flour and
bread into the West Indies from Great Britain,
that the price of flour must have, one time with
another, amidst the fluctuations to which it was
rendered liable, been so high as to have afford-
ed the importer the expense of transportation,
it is evident, therefore, that this loss of 20,?. per
barrel upon flour, being equal to about 4,?. 6d
per bushel upon wheat, must have fallen upon
the Canadian farmer. —
And who profitted by this enormous loss, oc-
casioned by our legislative tolerations, interfe-
rences, or arrangements, concerning this inter-
course between our West-Indian settlements
and the United Stales? The Americans only.
The ports of these islands, whenever any scar-
city took place, were opened to American pro-
duce, which was admitted free of duty or any
sort of restraint, and again shut when supplies
were obtained ; — their opening and shutting thus
becoming each a consequence of the other.*
't?
ii
•; Mil
■^ hi
ri;
* Sec Page 93 to VG,
\,
:
{ >i M
il
M I
r 1
b •
'4
I'
li-^^-
K I i; < I
. i , u^^
'v 5 ' V>i«
m
I
216
IMPORTANCE OF THE
Instead, therefore, of beiiit^ as originally in-
tended, to encourage and defend the interests
of Great Btilain and her colonies, our naviga-
tion-laws were absolutely perverted to serve the
Americans, and sacrifice the interests of the
British colonist and the British merchant, for
w host; exclusive interest these laws were origi-
nally framed.
Had the smj p^^ing of our West-Indian
islands he^n so regulated, that the West-Indian
market would have afforded a regular and
steady demand for flour in Canada, this 4^. 6d.
per bushel would have at once operated in sti-
mulating the Canadian farmer to greater exer-
tions in the growth of wheat, and also as a pre-
mium to encourage the transport of the pro-
duce of that part of the United States which
borders upon Canada to the St. Laurence. ' '
It may be further remarked respecting the
surplus-produce of wheat, &c. raised in Cana-
da, as stated in Nos. 1 ?.nd 6, in the Appendix,
and the annual consumption of the manufac-
tures from that article in tl^e West Indies, that
this surplus appears to bear but a small propor-
tion to the annual consumption of these islands.
Nothing, however, could be more absurd and
n
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
217
uureasoiiable than to draw the conclusion of
inadequacy from this circumstance, the re-
sources and capabilities of these provinces
never having been put to the test.
Surely no person in any degree acquaint-
ed with the subject could argue that their
resources were ever yet fairly put to the
test, or were ever directed to, or in any manner
encouraged to assume this channel, whilst such
positive and manifest proofs as have been addu-
ced exist, that Canadian flour, as well as other
Canadian produce, is positively excluded the
West-Indian market. Whilst wheat continues to
be shipped from Canada to Great Britain, and
flour from Great Britain to the West Indies,
their inadequacy to such supply is inadmissi-
ble, as a reason why these provinces do not
supply their sister colonies with flour.
Had the parliamentary inquiries, which have
been made, concerning the adequacy of the
Canadas to yield these supplies, been directed
to the circumstance of this unaccountable
transportation, the true causes might have been
discovered and removed, and the Canadas
rendered, not only adequate to these supplies
at this day, but also capable of furnishing the
= ' ^f:>
if
I
a;
\ »
i
i
H
I.)
■Jf
^J:«
\\
V
.1 1 '.
'4
:1
tl8
IMPORTANCE OF THE
l\
I i^i:'
. !■ 3
'! : \
li
j;<
)r-
■w,. y
.|i
mother-country with a considerable r^uantity. —
Our legislators would have discovered that the
fluctuation of prices, and uncertainty of de-
mand, to which the West-Indian market was
rendered liable, and the risks and disappoint-
ments to which the Canadians were subjected
in their attempts to supply these islands with
flour, were the effects of their own impolitic
measures, and the true causes which prevented
these provinces from furnishing our West-
Indian possessions with an abundant supply.
I'he effectual supply of our West-Indian
islands with flour irom the Canadas must ne-
cessarily be connected with several subordinate
arrangements, the encouragement and protec-
tion of which are essential in producing that
effect, and also, to the existence of such a trade
after it may have assumed that channel. — Ar-
rangements must have been entered into by a
variety of classes of people in these provinces,
for carrying into effect the transportation of
wheat and flour from the United States to the
ports of the St. Laurence ; — for erecting mills
for the manufacture of such imports of wheat ;
— for establishing ships in the trade for the regu-
lar transportation of produce to the West Indies.
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
2ia
But neither of these arrangements could have
been made upon any reasonable grounds of
success, \vhiist so much uncertainty existed
with regard to the West-Indian market.
Having pointed out the causes which have
prevented the Canadas from suppiyii^ our
West-Indian colonists with flour, &c. and
clearly shewn, that the smallness of the quan-
tity of that article hitherto exported from these
provinces is no proof of their being inadequate
to furnish these islands with the most abundant
supplies, I shall now endeavour to prove, that
they may in a very short period be rendered
capable of yielding more tlian sufficient to sa-
tisfy the greatest demand which our settlements
in the West Indies require. This capability
consists, in the first place, in the supplies which
might be drawn from the United-States side of the
St. Laurence; secondly, in tlie further exten-
sion of agriculture upon the vast tracts of fer-
tile land, still unsettled in these provinces ; and
thirdly, in the agricultural improvements of
which the land now imder cultivation is capable.
AVitU respect to tlie first position, viz. the
supplies to be drawn from the United-States
ftide of the St. Laurence, it may be observed,
•I
I
ill
1-^ i' H\
%
:l
*
i
\
]
I:
''\
h
220
IMPOKTANC K, OK THI'i
ihnt nltli<)iiu;1i tliis is not, the most iinpniianl
sniirrr, yd il is \\\o oiu' tVoni wIhmico llu' iiioMt
iiiun<Mii:)to iiKMTsiso in th(»rx|M)iisof (Inurronh;
ho (Irav f It upprnrs plain, innvrvcr, iV<»ni uliat
l»as aln^aJy l)iMMi slatrH, thai \hv Iransportatiou
of rtonr from tin* I'nilodSlaUN siclr of \\w St.
Lanr«Mir(^ \o tbo porls of that v\\r\\ lias hvvw
p'oatly <lisoonramMl, and nion* parlirnlarly
bv tho irn'2iilariti(N wlncli liavo liillnrlo rx-
istod in tlio inod(^ of fnrnisliini*' Ihr West- Indian
inarlvot.
Tlio most «^frrrtnal nirans wbicb ronid bo
adopt(>d, for tbo (MH'onrai2;omonl of this I ratio,
Avonld 1)0 absolut(^ly to probii>it iionr from bo-
ing' imporl( (1 from the UnitiMJ Slat< s, into onr
"\V<^st-lndian sollliMnents ; or otbor>vis(\ at all
tin^os to allow tho injportation of sncb tlonr,
bnt in onr own ships only, and liabh^ to a dnty
rqnal to tho comparalivo ditVenMioo of froi^ht
anct insnranoo, as mi|nht be fonnd o|)oratin£;'
aji'ainst tlie nnportor of prodnoo, into onr W est-
Indian islands from Canada, as relates to im-
ports from the ports of the United States, (pro-
vided sneh a ditl'erenee did exisi,) with a small
addition over and above that ditterence, as a
i
protecting dnty.
il '
nRTTISH AMKRICAN COLOVIRS.
221
It limy uppeni* to fumw pi^rNOiiN, iiiia(?fjUHiiit-
v\\ with many minute rirrnniHtancrH rrlatint^ io
lliis Iradts iiiai llu; imjto.silioii of hiicIi a duty
mij^flit, orrnHioii exorliilant [H'iccH in our Wcist-
Iiidiaii scltlrmrnls: bu' rumparcd willi tlio
piicM'H whi<li havr hitherto heen paid in ihtise
sctth nuMits, this wouhl certainly not h<; lh(^
rase. For, it will ho ol»Kt;rvi'd, from I he otiser-
vations already staled, tiiat tin; great irrei^ula-
ritieH \vlii<!li existed in tlu3 mode of HUjtplying
these colonies must have raised the jirices
double or tr(;ble to what this dirterenee of
freight and insurance could, at tlie highest, lie
possibly estimated.
In the event of the (exportation of this ar-
ticle from the ports of the St. Laurence lie^
ing unsliacklod, and such (>xportations being
also unrestricted from the ports of tlie United
States, otherwise than their carriage being con-
liued to British ships, and liable to the protec.'l-
ing duties just uientioned, it is very unlikely
that the diflerence could exceed 7.v. (id. per
barrel; whereas, it appears, the inhabitants of
our West-Indian possessions must have paid at
the rate of 20.9. per barrel higher for their
flour, than tlu' proportionate price at which the
J, r;
I'
If
H
iM'
I
W I
■t.
ii, I
'.I
r
ill
{ i
I.. J \'
\ i
i .
222
IMPORTANCE OF THE
Canadians sold their wheat for the British
market.
Undoubtedly such measures would soon
have the effect of furnishing the ports of the St.
Laurence, with considerably larj»*er supplies
than the demand of our West-Indian colonies
would require.
Whatever, therefore, the price of flour may
have been previous to such an efTecl: being pro-
duced, it is obvious, that it must from that pe-
riod correspond with and be ruled by the
prices in the British market. Thus, a short time
would produce a most important advantage
to the inhabitants of our West-Indian colonies,
considering that the price of flour in these set-
tlements and Great Britain must then asaiearly
correspond as does the expenses of transport-
ation from Canada to these markets respective-
ly ; thereby bringing about a reduction of the
price to these West-Indian colonists, equal to
the amount of the expense of the transportation
of flour from Great Britain to the West Indies.
Secondly, with respect to the further exten-
sion of agriculture, upon the vast tracts of fer-
tile land still unsettled in these provinces, it
may bft remarked, that such an extension may
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
223
take place, either by an increase of the propor-
tionate quantity which tlie cultivated land bears
to the population, — by an increase of the popu-
lation, or by both. ' * t '
The increase of the proportionate quantity
of cultivated land to the population may be
promoted by the encouragement of the export*
atioA of timber and ashes; and also, by a
steady demand and encourau'.ng prices for
agricultural produce.
The vast tracts of fertile land to be possess-
ed at a low rate, and situate in the most healthy
and agreeable climate, proves highly encourag-
ing to the increase of the population, both by
multiplication and emigration : indeed, land is
to be obtained upon such easy terms, that the
poorest man, if he is but industrious, may soon
acquire a freehold in tliese fertile provinces.
Emigrations into Canada are principally from
the mother-country and the United States.
Nothing, however, can be said hitherto to have
encouraged emigration to Canada, except the
superiority of the soil. But, so powerfully has
this circumstance operated, that the emigration
which has prevailed for several years past from
the United States has been very considerable
•;t
n
i -I
iT ■
K' ■;
f:.'
1
.1 .'
•i
!■ 1
1,
t
I;,
mi
224
IMPORTANCE OF THK
indeed. Such are the causes, and such have
been the effects, that, (except in that part
of the Uriiied States bordering upon the
Canadas,) throughout ahnost the whole extent
of the eastern states, but particularly New
England, one may ride for days together with-
out seeing a spot of what could be properly
termed good land, — in many parts, hundreds of
miles witliout seeing a spot worth cultivating,
— in many districts, the generality of the peo-
ple poorly clothed and miserably lodged, and
here and there the farms deserted, and the farm-
houses tumbling down ; and, upon inquiring
concerning them, it will be found their desertion
was occasioned by emigration eithek to Canada
or to those parts of the United States which lie
upon the banks of the St. Laurence.
But, upon the other hand, one may travel in
the Canadas, especially above Quebec, for days
together, without meeting with J»".y considera-
ble interruption of the most superior soil; —
one may, for hundreds of miles, pass through
uninterrupted tracts of land of the first rate
quality, and all over the country find the inha-
bitants comfortably lodged, well clothed, and
in every respect enjoying abundance. It there-
", '-N
I!'
have
part
1 the
extent
New
with-
operly
eds of
vating,
e pco-
3, and
3 farm-
miring
sertion
anada
ich lie
avel in
ir days
idera-
oil ; —
irougli
t rale
I inha-
i, and
there-
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
225
fore appears that several of the most important
circumstances contribute materially to encou-
rage the settlement of the waste-lands in these
provinces.
Thirdly, as to the agricultural improve-
ments of vtrhich the land now under cultivation
is capable, it may be observed, that it is cer-
tainly a most important object, and ought, above
all other improvements, to be attended to. It
would not only directly augment the exports
from these colonies, but also afford considerable
facility to various other most important ad-
vantages which they possess.
With respect to the smallness of the crops
which are here produced, from the very superior
quality of the soil, and the industry of the
inhabitants, being circumstances which have
already been noticed, it appears clear that con-
siderable improvements in agriculture might be
easily effected.*
* The author in making the necessary observations, and in
collecting such information as he conceived necessary, in wri-
ting a statistical account of the Canadas, which he has nearly
ready for publication, necessarily devoted the most particular
attention to the quality of the soil and the state of agriculture.
Hehas.therefore,froiiithe superior quality and unimproved state
Q
ii'' \i
P
\-
I.
»,
'\
■ \i
\ .
8?i-
I
•Hi
m
^ 1 1
226
IMPORTANCE OF THE
tl
.J.jl
'^ n
I. •
»■■ i
I ■•'
'«tWi
'' If an increase of four bushels an acre were
jfiroduced, still the crops would be but very
(Small ; only about 16 or 17 bushels per acre.*
Such an increase, however, would yield
1,953,852 busJiek; which, with the 330,483
now anUi i!ly .ported, upon an average, would
make 2,2h-L,>i i bushels, being nearty equal
to double liie ar ^mt of the supplies of our
West-Indian plantations.f - ' ' •' ''
Estimating also the small proportion which
the land under grain bears to the amount
of cleared land, an increase of the quan-
of the land, and from his experience anrf knowledge of the" prac-
tice of husbandry, in some of the best cultivated districts of the
mother-country, deemed it his duty to write a treatise, shew-
ing those agricultural improvements, which arc most pecu-
liarly adapted to these provinces, with the most appropriate
systems of cropping, rules of farm-management, &c. This,
with some observations upon the best means of overcoming
the prejudices, which, amongst the Canadians, (as well as
amongst the people of any other country wherein improve-
ments, or any change of system, is unknown,) must be found
to exist against any deviation from their old-established
practice, are intended to be submitted to the Board of Agri-
culture, in order to an application being made to the board
of trade and plantations, in behalf of our interest in the im-
provement of these extensive and valuable colonies.
* See page 58. t See No. C, in the Appendix.
OJ
Mill
* . «
BRITI8H AMERICAN COLONIES. 2:27
were
very
icre*
yield
;0,483
vvould
equal
of otir
> • *■
' fs. ? t
which
amount
quan-
hcprac-
icls of the
iae, sh€W-
lost pecu-
jpropriate
This,
^ercomiog
[as well as
improve-
be found
stablished
d of Agri-
the board
in the im-
»
idix.
tity under grain (if accompanied with nn
improvement of agriculture in general) might
certainly be made to great advantage. Such
an increase to the extent of 100,000 acres,
being only an addition of about one-fifth to the
quantity computed to be now under grain, and
about the fiftieth part of the cleared land in
the Canadas,* and also supposing it to produce
only sixteen bushels per acre, would yiek'
1,600,000 bushels; which, with the abo ^j
2,284,335, would make the annual exp' . s
3,884,335 bushels.
An improvement to this extent might .i-
tainly be brought about witliout much diffi-
culty, provided the proper means were used
to effect so desirable an object.
The circumstances favourable to the improve-
ment of agriculture in Canada are an excellent
soil, a favourable climate, a steady demand for
produce, and that activity, industry, and emu-
lation, which exist amongst the inhabitants ;
whilst the only circumstances, which militate
against such improvements are, the ignorance
of the Canadian cultivators of the modern
^ See page 56.
q2
i.i 1 *.
■!, I'.
^ii; ji
'r-i r
I* h
i-.i
Ji
y •
i^
•I ' '
I,
'■^i r
I..
i
Vf w
H
!
22a
IMt»ORTANCE OP THE
1 1
improvennents in agriculture and their attach-
ment to old-established practices. For nothing
is more obvious than that industry and emula-
tion may exist under the greatest ignorance and
the most obstinate tenacity of the old beaten
path, as well as under the most successful
discoveries to which experiment can lead.
Under such circumstances, it is evident
that improvements judiciously introduced must
be attended with the most certain success.
The difliculty of eradicating the prejudices
of the Canadian farmers, by introducing agri-
cultural improvements, would not be greater
than what would be experienced in the intro-
duction of any improvement amongst the far-
mers, or any other class of people, in any
other country.
A proof that the people are not altogether
averse to new experiments, and that they are
disposed to follow up such practices as they
may find profitable, is to be found in the circum-
stance of the introduction of the growth of bar-
ley, and the cultivation of peas, already noticed.
The growth of barley was unknown in Ca-
nada until a few years back, when a gentle-
man, in the prosecution of some speculations
V
■.I
M-
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONITS.
229
ach-
hing
lula-
: and
jaten
idsful
ident
must
•
idices
agri-
reater
intro-
e far-
any
:
gethcr
ey are
IS they
rcum-
of bar-
oticed.
in Ca-
gentle-
lation*
in that article, introduced it, and the example
was almost instantaneously followed.
The principal difficulty experienced in such
introductions is in finding individuals amongst
the older residents disposed to try the experi-
ment ; but this is a difficulty very far from being
insurmountable. When once any new dis-
covery is made, and the ihiprovement adopted
by only one such individual, and is found profit-
able, there is no doubt but that it will be ge-
nerally adopted. For, whatever the neighbours
of the person who first adopted the improve-
ment may have formerly thought of such
projects, or whatever antipathy they may
have entertained against them, the temp-
tation of profit and the fear of being consi"
dered less ingenious than a neighbour, who
excelled them in nothing else, aqd whom,
to esteem, in any respect, superior to them-
selves would be to them the greatest mortitica-
tioi, would induce them not only to follow his
example, but would also set their ingenuity to
v/ork and stimulate them to improve upon his
principles.
From the view taken of the improveable ca-
pabilities of the Canadas, in respect to furnish-
ing wheat^ as well as other agricultural pro-
i !l^
\i
. f
11
"
i\
ii
i <
\ '
i
:)'
f. 'It
230
IMPORTANCE OF THE
n
%i''-
i.
duce, for exportation, it is obvious that these
hitherto - neglected colonies might, in a very
short time, be so improved as to yield the most
extensive supplies. There is, indeed, no doubt
that, in a few years, under good management,
they might not only furnish our West-Indian
settlements with their supply of flour, but
also the mother-country with all the wheat,
hemp, and flax, which she requires from foreign
parts ; unless she should be still determined to
be dependent upon foreign countries for her
supplies of these important articles,
Mf
*
i\
til :
«
t
Canada capable of producing hemp and
plax sufficient for the supply op the
mother-country with these articles. •
In reference to the question as to how far
the Canadas are capable of producing a quan-
tity of hemp and flax sufficient to supply the
wants of the mother-country, it may be ob-
served, that, as far as relates to the extent and
quality of the land under cultivation, and also
their population, they certainly do possess this
capability. ^
H)^
BRITISR AMEKICAN COLONIES. 251
To prove thiw point, it will be only neresanry
to notice the circuniHtances which have pro-
moted or retarded tiie production of flax and
hemp in thcRe provinces.
This fundamental cause may be justly traced
to the extreme ignorance of the Canadians,
with respect to agriculture in general. •"'• " '
Upon this cause a variety of others are
hinged, such as, the reduced state of the land
in point of fertility ; the defective knowledge
of the natives, concerning these crops; and
their tenacity of antient habits and established
practices. Athongh these circumstances have
been aflready noticed, it is nevertheless neces-
sary here to make some further observations,
in order to shew how far these impediments
are capaWe of being removed, and to what
extent, they stand in the way of the cultivation
of hemp and ilax in particular.
.. Although the exhausted state of the soil is a
caufe which, to y certain degree, operates
against the cultivation of these crops generally,
and in particular where combined with certain
other causes, actually prevents their cultiva-
tion, yet, under other circumstances, it would
not by any means prevent their being cultivated
jit; ''
' 'n
!^l '
•I • i
I' '
^f
h V.'i'
I.
\
u.
I
r-
f Sir
\ ii
II
I '
'If
iii'ii
1^- ' ;■
n
t
I"'
h (1 )
It I ^
M.f. i
t.'
' i
232
IMPORTANCE OF THE
to advantage, even to an extent sufficient to
supply the British market.
There are certain parts of every farm fit for
the profitable production of either hemp or
flax, or both ; and therefore upon the judi-
cious choice, both in respect to extent and
situation of the parts chosen for the production
of these crops, will depend their profitable cul-
ture ; hence follows the absolute necessity of a
general knowledge of agriculture.
The generally reduced state of the land, the
want of a thorough knowledge of the manage-
ment of hemp and flax, and a defective know-
ledge of agriculture in general, are causes
which, combined, must inevitably prevent the
profitable cultivatiou of these crops. For, under
such circumstances, either an injudicious
choice may be made of the land destined for
these crops, or too large a proportion may be
appropriated to that purpose ; and therefore, even
supposing the farmer by accident to have made
a proper choice of the land, as to its fitness to
produce the crops in question, he may never-
theless so derange his system or mode of crop-
pi ug as may occasion considerable loss and
inconvenience, notwithstanding the hemp and
flax produced may have been very abundant
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
233
Where the cultivation of these articles is un-
dertaken by persons unacquainted with agricul-
ture in general, notwithstanding they may toler-
ably well understand the mauageraent of hemp
and flax, such persons are not only likely to fail
in rendering good crops of them profitable, but,
from an injudicious choice and improper ma-
nagement of the land selected for their growth,
will certainly often meet with a double loss
and disappointment, by their total failure.
With respect to popular prejudices against
new introductions, and a blind adherence to
established practices, I have already shewn,
that, were proper means introduced, — such
means indeed as might be reasonably expected
to succeed under like circumstances in any
other country, these prejudices might not only
be easily overcome, but the improvements
which they might have given way to would
certainly be followed up with energy.
Considering that very good crops of flax are
generally produced, but ruined in the manage-
ment which succeeds the operation of pulling,
it is therefore evident, that a little w til-directed
attention to this circumstance would meet
with the most certain success in improving and
encouraging the cultivation of this crop. And il
. L
i-:
h i
ii^ *
m
Jii
{■I ,v!
r. i
^. m , !
234
IMPORTANCE OP THE
is also evident that, besides the direct advantages
which would be derived from this end being
accomplished, another important purpose would
thereby be easily effected, namely, the cultiva-
tion of hemp ; an improvement which, com-
pared with the cultivation of flax, would prove
much more profitable to the farmer, and of in-
finitely greater conseqivence to the mothers-
country. '
Our annual importation of hemp is about
250,000 cwt. and of flax about 175,000 cwt.
50,000 acres of land under hemp, at 5 cwt.
each, and 50,000 acres under flax, at 3| cvrt.
each, would produce these respective quantities.
The cleared land in the Canadas is esti-
mated at about 5,002,428 acres;* and, sup-
posing that of the 360,000 inhabitants there are
only employed in agriculture 300,000, there
must, in that case, be 50,000 families of six per-
sons each, employed in husbandry, and 50,000
ferms, averaging about one hundred acres.
Thus it appears, that if each farmer were to
sow one acre of hemp and one acre of flax,
and the crops produced of only the middling-
quality which I have stated, our supplies of
* See page bG.
a ,'■ . 1 1
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
23S
s
these important articles would be obtained
from our own provinces, and consequently all
our anxieties about obtaining a precarious
supply from our enemies relieved; besides,
our colonies w^ould be thereby improved, and
our manufacturers proportionably benefited.
Every farm is capable of producing either
hemp or flax ; and therefore in proportion as
any particular farm might be found more
adapted to the production of any one of these
articles, respect should be paid to that circum-
stance, either with regard to the respective
proportions of these crops, or an absolute
preference given to the one considjered tUe
most profitable: there are, however, bat very
few instances where the laiKl is not capable of
profitably producing both.
But supposing that only two-thirds of the
farmers were to sow hemp and flax, in that
case were each to sow one acre and an half
of hemp and the same quantity of ^lax., the
whole of our supplies would thereby be pro-
duced. Or further, to suppose that only half
the number of farmers as above were to culti-
vate these crops, still our supplies would be
produced by each only cultivating two acrew of
hemp and two acres of flax.
S!1,
I <i '
if: n
M
n-i
.1 ;
236
IMPORTANCE OF THE
CHAP. V.
i )
U
2!»,
CONCLUSION.
\v
fly
'■ . » i:
i i>i
m .
)\
\
jji
From what has been advanced concerning
the importance of the colonies which we pos-
sess in North America, and the danger in
which they are placed by the present %var, it is
evident they are, in the highest degree, en-
titled to our protection. — Compared %vith any
of our other colonial establishments, — with oiir
colonies in the West Indies,— ^ with or r colonxei?
in the East Indies, — or with our Mediterruuean
establishments, and esV'hi'^ted by the propor-
tionate quantity of our sbippbig they employ,
I have shewn that ihey fan L the highest :* —
if valued by the present proportionate amount,
and the sure prospect of f ature increase of the
demand and facility they afford us for vending
our manufactuves i it is clearly demonstrated that
iliey have decidedly the precedence. f — Should
__ — I ■ ■ — - • ■ ■ ■ ■■ — . . «-.-■■..»
■ Appendix, Nos. 8 and 17. \ No, 2.
Ill) m
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
237
they be estimated according to the loyalty of
their inhabitants ; — recent occurrences and the
uniform conduct of these brave people prove
that they are second to no colonies that Great
Britain now has or ever did possess. Possess-
ing then these important properties, in such a
pre-eminent degree, are they not entitled to a
proportionate degree of our care and attention,
and a commensurate share of those means
which we possess, for the protection of our
colonies in general ?
Perhaps some may be scarcely inclined to ad-
mit that these colonies are actually in danger.
I would, however, most earnestly remind such
persons, that the loss of our colonies, in the last
American war, was occasioned solely by the
extravagant contempt which we entertained of
the strength of the Americans as an enemy, —
by the inadequacy of the forces sent out, and
more especially, to the tardy and apparently rt
luctant manner in which they were furnished.
Instead of a respectable force being sent ut
once, such as might have been deemed uf-
ficient to destroy and disperse this enemy,
whose power we then held in so much con-
tempt, our troops were sent out in handfuls, — a
■/I.
\<!t
ll-
1^ 5^^
4 I \
''1-i
\
1=
Ml 5 I
I' ' ! '
ii\
ii
258
IMPORTANCE OF THE
few at a time ; and, when these were destroyed,
a few more ; and so on, io the end of the war,
which, as might have been expecte<l, brought
with it the loss of our \;duable colonies, and
our humiliation and disarrace before this other-
wise contoniptiblo em my.
And what but the same spirit of infatuation
could have so long delayed sending a military
force to Canada, after the declaration of the
present war against ns by the United States ?
What but the same letharcv, and blind insensi-
bility to danger, which occasjioned the loss of our
colonies at that time, could have so long with-
held the triflingand inadequate supply of troops
which havf been hitherto sent to these provinces ?
Indeed, it is notorious that our government, in
sending out these small supplies, have allowed
our enemy full time to prepare for their recep-
tion, and in every respect appear determined
to carry on this war a la North and Gage.
The danger of the Canadas consists chiefly
in their small population being disposed along
an in.mense extent of the frontier of a populous
hostile country. — Their safety consists, in the
first place, in the combined circumstances of the
river St. Laurence, and the strong garrison of
of
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
23d
Quebec being the key to the country^ and of our
fleets* being able to command the fiavigation of
the St. Laurence ; in the second place, in the
loyalty of their inhabitants, and the firm attach-
ment of the Indians to the British interest ; and,
in the third place, in the aid of a British army.
With respect to the first of these defensive
properties, viz. the strength of the garrison of
Quebec, and the power which we possess of
commanding the navigation of the river St.
Laurence, it may be observed, that, although
these are certainly valuable properties, yet,
unattended by the other two, tl«ey would
be found comparatively of little avail, Ft^r,
were the Americans in possession of the
country, and the Canadians indifferent to our
interests, and we in possession of the river St.
Laurence, notwithstanding that that river is,
and necessarily must be, the channel of com-
merce to the extensive country upon its waters ;
yet we should, in that case, be only so f\ir in
possession of the Canadas, by merely holding
the St. Laurence, as we should be in posses-
sion of the Russian empire, by having the com-
mand of the mouths of the Baltic and Black Sea.
, The command \vhich the possession of tlje
i ^
. K\
i\
i iii
>* ' ".
1l|
i . H
,"■#
•^l^
:.,t ! :
:lt
■Vi
V iii'
m
1 '
it
f ■ ■ 'a
i|i:n.!:
1
240
IMPORTANCE OF THE
garrison of Quebec and the river St. Lau-
rence has over the Canadas are valuable ad-
vantages, and certainly of vast importance:
but they are only to the j.ossession of the Ca-
nadas, as the capital is to the kingdom, or as
the citadel to the city. In the defence of the
country, they are strong and important posi-
tions ; but to rest the safety of our possession
of the country, in any considerable degree,
upon them, would be little better than volun-
tarily resigning it to the enemy.
Our government, however, must have trusted
the safety of these provinces principally to these
circumstances, otherwise they would have been
more prompt in furnishing the means of de-
fending them at the commencement of hosti-
lities, and, at this moment, would have had a
much greater force in that country.
Regarding the loyalty of the Canadians, and
their attachment to their parent-country, they
are certainly of vast importance in the defence
of these colonies. If proofs of this were want-
ing, let us look back to the late American war,
and witness their zeiil and enthusiasm in the
British cause in the present struggle. The Ca-
nadas, consisting as yet but of a small popu-
'I
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
241
lation, and extended along the American fron-
tier, and, consequently, exposed to an f nemy
of innnensely superior strength in point of
numerical proportion, are, therefore, however
unshaken their zeal and undaunted their cou-
rage, inadequate to the defence of these colonies.
With a reasonable supi)ly of troops from the
mother-country, however, — even with half the
number to which the importance of these pos-
sessions entitle them, which would be at least
double the force which is there at present, they
would be safe beyond all doubt or apprehension.
The firm attachment of the Indians to our
interest is a circimistance which adds greatly
to our means of defending and securing our
Canadian possessions ; and, indeed, consti-
tutes the principal means of our holding these
colonies. It may be, therefore, necessary to
take notice of the circumstances to which we
owe this important alliance. For we must not
suppose that the Indians esteem us merely be-
cause we are British, nor hate and despise our
enemies in that quarter merely because they
are Americans ; they, as well as civilized na-
tions, must have more potent reasons, and
more stinndating motives, for their friendship.
R
k
' \
1 1
I\
1 t
242
IMPORTANCR OP THE
;i'
:■ I
i i
■H,
i
|S;
'li'
«i.
f -i
i !
I''
i '
f ^
• I
i: I
The friendly allianco of the Indians is de-
rived from various causes : — in the first place,
JroTn the American encroachments upon their
rights and privileges ; in the second phice,
jtrom the good-ivill of the frontier nations^ pur-
chased by the presents annually made them by
our goternment ; and, in the third place, y'row
an extensive intercourse which has been culti-
vated with them, almost over the xvhole northern
continent of America^ by our fur-traders.
With regard to the first of these causes ; the
rapid progress which the settlements of the
Unircd States has made towards the interior
upon all sides, and the little ceremony ob-
served by the Americans in obtaining posses-
sion of their new territory, has produced
several wars between the Americans and the
Indians, and thereby created and kept up in
the Indian breast a constant rancour and an-
tipathy towards these intruders.
Our government, upon the other hand, has
carefully avoided the smallest misunderstand-
ing with them upon the score of territorial right ;
and, likewise, studiously courted and secured
their friendship by an annual distribution of
presents to the nations inhabiting the frontiers.
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
243
Our fur-trade with the Indians, however,
has certainly done inhnitely more towards se-
curing their friendship than all the other causes
jointly considered.
This trade is principally carried on by a
company of merchants, consisting of several
establishments, but generally styled the North-
West Company.
The concerns of this house have been so
organized, and their plans and schemes of
operation conducted npon such an extensive
scale as to have extended their trade over a
very large proportion of the continent of North
America ; even from the coast of Labradore
nearly to the Pacitic Ocean ; and from the vi-
cinity of Lousiana, almost to the Frozen Sea,
which bounds the continent upon the North.
The trade carried on by this company with
the Indians has been so industriously prosecuted
and judiciously and honourably conducted as to
have rendered it not only extremely profitable,
but highly honourable to the company, from
their having thereby secured to the Britisii na-
tion the friendly disposition of all the Indian
nations, to whom their commercial intercourse
has extended. For, in all their intercourse
R 2
if ji
|! n.
',h
W k
<«
^, :i
^vU. \^ \n1
IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)
%
l.u
I.I
116
1.8
L25 111114 .6
V
<^
/;
P^. ^ ss. ^'^
°> s^
>v
Photographic
Sdences
Corporation
23 WEST MAIN STREET
WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580
(716)872-4503
z
r^O
&
>
C^
'\
!
(
1 1
'h
i:
'T-i
f
Ifi
'■■i
:i
: 1
! .1
l> \
1
i M
Ifl^i
244
IMPORTANCE OF THE
with these savages, they h^ve not only avoided
quarrels, but have universally commanded re-
spect, and secured the friendship and esteem
of that uncultivjiied and war-like race, both
for themselves and the British in general.
It is evident, therefore, that it is to this mer-
cantile establishment that we are indebted for
the cordial co-operation of the Indians against
the Americans.
Considering that it was in a great measure
from our Indian alliance, during the last Ame-
rican war, that we secured the Canadas at its
termination, it may therefore be fairly conclu-
ded that it is, in some degree, to the honour-
able principles upon which our fur-trade has
been carried on, that we are indebted for the
possession of the Canadas at the present day.
Indeed, our Indian alliance would, had it
not been from the most culpable ignorance of
our negotiators, have then secured to us what
now constitutes the richest and best portion of
all that part of the United States, which lies
east of the Allegany mountains, viz. — that vast
fertile country, situated upon the south side of
the St. Laurence and the lakes, to the head-
waters of the rivers which empty themselves
into the St. Laurence and its chain of lakes.
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
245
But so miserably deiicient, in point of in-
formation, were our negotiating magi upon this
occasion, that they appeared blind to their
countries' rights, in respect to the protection
of this most valuable branch of British com-
merce, (the fur-trade,) and ignorant that our
faithful Indian allies had any interests, entitled
to our notice, in this treaty ; otherwise they
never would have ceded to the Americans that
very country, of wliicli these allies were then
in possession, — in which the Americans had
literally not a soldier in arms, — they would
have never given up that fine country upon the
south banks of the St. Laurence and its lakes,
thereby wresting from these friendly Indians
(who had already suffered so much in our
cause,) their paternal inheritance ; — driving
them, by this disgraceful treaty, from their an-
tient possessions, of which the hostile armies
of America could not dispossess them. —
They must have been totally ignorant
that there was any thing respecting the fiir-
trade worthy of attention, or even that there
existed any such bianch of industry in British
commerce, otherwise tliey would not have
ceded the forts or posts of Michiliniakiiiac,
I "
1 1
■t\
24«
IMPORTANCC 01' THE
«. 1.
Detroit, Niagai'a, 8cc. and, allowed the
boundary line to rrach the middle of the
St. Laurence and llie lakes, thereby, in a
great measure, shutlinjjj up the door of ac-
cess to the fur-trade against us. Indeed,
they appear to l;ave entered into negotia-
tion with our rebel-colonists, with a deter-
mination to insist upon nothing that was con-
tended for by that party ; for, being in posses-
sion of the whole coimtry, upon the south side
of the St. LaurencM^ and the lakes, as well as
upon the north side, and, as I havo already
mentioned, holding the forts of Niagara, De-
troit, and Michiliuiakinac, who could have sup-
posed that there were to be found British nego-
tiators so very ignorant as to have given up all
that extensive country.
The settlements of the State of Main had
not then reached farther to the eastward (be-
ing towards New Brunswick) than the river
Penobscot.
That river, therefore, ought to have been
the l)oundary between the United States and
New Brunswick ; ant^, upon the Canadian
side, the boundary line ought to have run from
lake Kersisango to the head of lake Champ-
BRITISH AMEKICAN PROVINCKS.
247
3d the
of the
h in a
of ac-
Indeed,
negotia-
i deter-
^as cdti-
i posses-
uth side
3 well as
already
ira, De-
lave sup-
sh nego-
n up all
am had
ard (be-
he river
Lve been
ates and
anadian
run from
Champ-
lain ; from thrnce !o a })oiiit about equal dis-
tances, between lake Erie and the river Ohio,
at Pittsburg ; and, from thence, to the west-
ward, in that parallel of latitude.
Such a boundary line would have secured
us the free and uninterrupted navigation of the
St. Laurence and the lakes, and the possession
of one of the finest and most fertile countries in
the world. The cession of this country, then
in our possession, without an erjuivalent, gla-
ring and unaccountable as that sacrifice was,
was rendered still more cisipable by our bcniig
then, as already observed, in possession of
New York and Rhode Island, both which,
with this fine country, were given up by the
ministers of that day.
My reason for taking so particular notice of
these gross mistakes, which were committed in
negotiating the last peace with America, is in-
tended for the double purpose of stimulating
to adequate exertions, for regaining that which
we so foolishly, and with so much simplicity,
gave away v — and to remind our ministers, that
America actually gained nearly as much terri-
tory by negotiationy at the end of the late war,
as she did by a bloody contest of seven years.
!t i'.i
I! .; '
%
''t!
■1i
848
IMPORTANCE OF THE
that they may, when they come to negotiate,
endeavour to regain what has been bo wantonly
andfooUshljf thrown away.
\\:%
) •
V t
iMf
* »
! I
\
I i
'If
■K
"'• H
■1
II
Respecting the impolicy, of which the
British government has been guilty, in suffer-
ing the Americans to take possession of Loui-
siana, but particularly the latter, it may be
remarked that this acquisition of the United-
States government was not merely a territorial
extent, — not a forest, the settlement of which
would be a work of ages, but an immense aug-
mentation to their population, — a country, in
every respect, superior to any they ever before
possessed ; and in this point of view it was
considered by one of the most subtle politi-
cians, who organized the immense power of
Buonaparte, — Talleyrand, whose opinions of
the importance of these colonies, and the fer-
tility of the country, on the banks of what he
terms the Nile of America, may be seen, from
the following extracts, from a pamphlet, writ-
ten by him at the period when Buonaparte was
first consul.
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
249
otiate,
ntonly
h the
suflfer-
Loui-
lay be
Jnited-
ritorial
which
;e aug-
try, in
before
it was
politi-
rer of
)ns of
e fer-
lat he
from
writ-
e was
** * Oiir nation had the vain honour of confer-
ring a name on a portion of tlie globf , not ex-
ceeded by any other portion of it, in all the
advantages of climate and soil. Before the war
of 1757, it was an immense valley, watered by
a deep and beneficent river. This river first
acquires ini]>ortance in the latitude of forty-five,
nortii. It Hows in a devious course about two
thousand miles, and enters the bay of Mexico,
by many mouilis, in latitude 29. In these lati-
tudes is comprised the temperate zone, which
has been always deemed most favourable to the
perfection of the animal and vegetable nature.
This advantage is not marred by the chilling
and steriliji/hig influence of lofty mountains,
the pestilential fumes of intractable bogs, or the
dreary uniformity of sandy plains. Through
the whole extent, there is not, probably, a
snow-capt hill, a moving sand, or a volcanic
eminence. . . •
*' This valley is of different breadths. The
rida'e which bounds it on the east is in some
places near a thousand miles from the great
* From the New Quarterly Ueview, No. 5.
I.
i"
250
IMPORTANCE OF THE
: i
\ )
I ^'i
middle stream. From this ridge, secondary
rivers, of great extent and niagnificence, flow
towards the centre, and the intermediate re-
gions are an uncultivated Paradise. On the
west, the valley is of similar dimensions, the
streams are equally large and useful, and the
condition of the surface equally delightful.
" We must first observe, that, in gaining pos-
session of this territory, we shall not enter on a
desert, where the forest must be first removed
before a shelter can be built ; whither we must
carry the corn and the clothes necessary to pre-
sent subsistence ; and the seed, the tools, and
the cattle, which are requisite to raise a future
provision.
" There cannot, in the first place, be ima-
gined a district more favourable to settlement.
In addition to a genial climate and soil, there
are the utmost facilities of communication and
commerce. The whole district is the sloping
side of a valley, through which run deep and
navigable rivers, which begin their course in
the remotest borders, and which all terminate
in the central stream. This stream, one of the
longest and widest in the world, is rema^'kably
distinguished by its depth, and freedom from
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
251
natural impediments. It iiows into a ^If
iivhich contains a great number of populous
islands. Among these islands are numerous
passages into the ocean, which washes the
shores of Europe. Thus, not only every part
of the district is easily accessible by means of
rivers, but the same channels are ready to con-
vey the products of every quarter to the
markets most contiguous and most remote.
" The Nile flows in a torrid climate through
a long and narrow valley. The fertility which
its annual inundations produce extends only
two or three leagues on either side of it. The
benefits of this fertility are marred by the
neighbourhood of scorching sands, over which
the gales carry intolerable heat and incurable
pestilence, and which harbour a race of sa-
vages, whose trade is war and pillage. Does
this river bestow riches worthy of the greatest
efforts of the nation to gain them, and shall
the greater Nile of the western. hemisphere be
neglected ? A Nile, whose inundations diffuse
the fertility of Egypt twenty leagues from its
shores, which occupies a valley wider liian
from the Duna to the Rhine, which flows
among the most beautiful dales, and under the
/■'
f '-
!•■
I
i
llM' *■■' I . S
»
1
:: i
mi'
i;!
!
%Tl
IMPORTANCE OP THE
benigiiest seasons, and which is skirted by a
civilized and kindred nation on one side, and
on the other by extensive regions, over which
the tide of growing population may spread it-
self withont hindrance or danger.
" But of what avail will be all these advan-
tages, unless a market be provided for the pro-
duce of the soil ? Now this market is already
provided. For all that it can produce, France
alone will supply tkirti/ millions of consumers.
The choicest luxuries of Europe are coffee,
sugar, and tobacco. The most useful mate-
rials of clothing are cotton and silk. All these
are either natives of the Mississippi valley, or
remarkably congenial to it. The cultivation of
these, and the carriage to market, are as ob-
vious and easy as the most ardent politician
can desire. The whole extent of the river will
be our own, and in the lower and most fertile
portion of its course, the banks on both sides
will be our indisputable properly.
** The friend of the health, longevity, and
useful pleasure of the human species, and of
the opulence of France, could not devise a
better scheme than one which should enable
every inhabitant of Europe to consume half a-
1' ll
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
253
rted by a
^ide, and
er which
spread it-
36 advan-
' the pro-
3 already
, France
nsumers.
e coffee,
ul mate-
411 these
dlev, or
vation of
e as ob-
olitician
ver will
t fertile
th sides
y, and
and of
levise a
enable
half a-
pound of sugar a day, and assign to French-
men the growth, the carriage, and the distri-
bution of thus much.* Now this scheme is no
other than the j)ossession of the American
Nile. But this end may be too magniiicent lo
be deemed credible. Let us, then, confine our-
selves to the consumption of France ; for this
alone will be adequate to the employment, and
conducive to the wealth, of a vast number of
cultivators.
" A much less beneficial luxury is coffee,
but this our habits have equally endeared lo us.
We have hitherto drawn it from the same foun-
tain which has supplied us with sugar: the
trade in it must follow the same destiny, the
same benefits will flow from increasing the
supply, and from drawing the supply from the
valley of the Mississippi.
" I shall pass over, without mentioning, many
other articles, such as tobacco, indigo, and the
like, for which France and the rest of Europe
* 225,000,000 cwt. the produce of an aieii, mt exieed-
ing that of Ciuienne, Normandy, and Biilafiny, are not a
twentietli part of the valley of the Mississippi. —Trans-
lator.
j '
f
n
it
i
i
i
254
IMPORTANCE OP THE
will supply aii uiiliinileil coiiHiimpliou, ami
hasten to arti<:Ie« wliich are of more import-
ance, and these are cotton and provisions.
** The most beautiful production of nature is
cotton. It was more tiian the caprice of fashion
that wem to the extremities of the East in
search of this material, for there is none capa-
ble of a ij^reater number of uses, of so many
forms, and such various colours. Its texture
may constitute the lightest and most beautiful
of ornaments, or the best defence against
the intemperature of the air.
** The nations of the East have used it im-
memorially, and from them has it gradually
been brought to Europe. The use of it seems
to have been limited by nothing but the power
of procuring it. Like sugar, the use of it has
increased since it has been naturalized to the
(Soil of America. The consumption has, in
like manner, been eager to outrun the suj^ly.
" The American States have, of late, become
sensible of the value of the commerce in cotton,
and their success supplies us with a new ex-
am j)le, and a powerful inducement to appro-
priate, in part, the territori/ of the Mississippi
to the same culture.
RRniSH AMERICAN COLONIES.
256
** But now come the fearful and Hcrupulous
head to dash these charming prospects. Ob-
stacles to these great achievements multiply in
his timorous fancy. He expatiates on the
length of the way; the insahibrity of unculti-
vated lands ; of a climate to which the consti-
tution and habits of the colonists are unconge-
nial ; of a soil, part of which, and that acces-
sible and most valuable, lies under a torrid
sun, and is annually inundated.
** Now all these difhculties are imaginary.
They are real in relation to a first settlement.
They ought to be taken into strict account, if
our projects extended to New Holland or to
California. In all real cases, these difficulties
have been great by reason of the avarice, in-
justice, and folly, of the colonizing nation; and
the wisest plans could not totally exclude,
though they would greatly lessen and easily
surmount them. But Louisiana is not a new
settlement : It is one of the oldest in North
America. All tiie labours of discovering and
of setting the first root on a desert shore, were
suffered and accomplished long ago.
** The Spaniards must be thoroughly aware
that their power in Mexico and Peru exists by
'." ^i
HI
' li
II
% I
I
^ll
I >
!,
! i
1 ' •. ■
r:'^
a:
5
■ 1
'■A
tt'Si
M
rui
Ifli
, 1
i
1 i
,1
i
1
1,
J
\,
t
25G
IMPORTANCE OF THE
the weakness and division of their vassals, and
by tin; rotnotenoss and competition of their
Enropean cncniies. Unwise and imbecile as
that nation has generally appeared in latter
limes, the admission of tlie French to a post
from whence their dominioiis may be so easily
annoyed at prcisent, and from >vhich their fu-
ture expidsion is inevitable, is a folly too egre>
gious even for them to commit, and of which
the most infatuated of their counsels has not
hitherto given an example.
*' If Spain should refuse the cession, there is
an end to our golden views. Our empire in the
new world is strangled in its cradle ; or, at
least, the prosecution of onr scheme must wait
for a more propitious season. But, should the
fortune of our great leader continue her smiles ;
should our neighbour be trepanned or intimi-
dated into this concession, there is removed,
indeed, one obstacle, of itself insujierable ; but
only to give way to another, at least, equally
hard to subdue ; and that is, the opposition oj'
K no; land.
" "^^rhat nation justly regards us as the most
formidable enemy to her gnnitness. Of late,
if her pride* would confess iIk^ truth, she would
British American colonies.
257
assals, and
m of their
imbecile as
ed in latter
:h to a post
be so easily
ch their fn-
ily too egre-
d of which
sels has not
ion, there is
npire in the
die ; or, at
must wait
should the
ler smiles ;
or intirai-
s removed,
rable ; but
st, equally
pposition q)
IS the most
Of late,
sIh' would
acknowledge that not her greatness only, but her
very being was endangered, either by the influ-
ence of our arms, or the contagion of our ex-
ample* She was assailed in her vitals, as the
copfusions of Ireland will testify. She was
attacked in her extremities, as the expedition
to Egypt, a mere prelude to the conquest of
Hindostan, will prove. Her efforts to repel
both these attacks, were suitable to their import-
ance, and evince the magnitude of her fears.
The possession of the vantage-ground enabled
her to crush the Irish. Her naval supe-
riority, and the caprice of the winds, en-
abled her to check our victorious career in the
east.
" Will they suffer Franco to possess herself
of the most effectual means of prosecuting fu-
ture wars to a different issue? Their navy
and their commerce are, at present, all
their trust. France may add Italy and Ger-
many to her dominions with less detriment
to England than would follow from her ac-
quisition of a navy, and the extension of her
trade. Whatever gives colonies to France,
ilors; manufac-
sr^ppli
ships ^nd
i'
;•' k\
\ I-
■ f ^
■ -e?
I-
H
^
ni . I
III
\ .1
5 f'
i I
'I. ■
I
y /.
tr
1^
Ml
■ t
:
258
liMPORTANCE OF THE
tares and liiisbaudmeii. Victories by land can
only jrivc her mxxi'mouH subjects ; who, instead
of angmenting; the national force, by their riches
or nnmbers, contribute only to disperse and en-
feeble that force ; but the growth of colonies
su|)plies her with zealous citizens, and the
increase of real wealth and eftective numbers is
the certain consequence. ,
" What could Germany, Italy, Spain, and
France, combining* their strength, perform
against England? They might assemble in
millions on the shores of the channel, Init there
would be the limit of their enmity. Without
ships to carry them over ; without experienced
mariners to navigate these ships, England
wonld only deride the pompous preparation.
The moment we leave the shore her fleets are
ready to pounce upon us ; to disperse and
destroy our ineffectual armaments. There lies
their security: in their insular situation and
their navy consist their impregnable defence.
Their navy is, in every respect, the offspring of
their trade. To rob them of that, therefore, is
to beat down their last wall and fill up their
last moat. To gain it to ourselves, is to enable
IIRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
259
US to take advantage of their deserted and de-
fenceless borders, and to complete the humi-
liation of our only remaining competitor.
" The trade which enriches England lies
chiefly in the products of foreign climates. But
her Indian territories produce nothing which the
Mississippi could not as easily produce. The
Ganges fertilizes a valley less extensive. Its
Deltas, as well as those of the Nile, are in the
same latitudes, and these rivers generate the
same exuberant soil, only in smaller space and
in less quantities than the great western Nile :
but the Mississippi comprehends, in its bosom,
the regions of the temperate zone as well as
the tropical climates and products. The arc-
tic circle in America will be equally accessible
to us and to the English. Our ant lent posses-
sions in Canada will in due season return to us
of their own accord ; and, meanwhile, a double
portion of anxiety, and double provfsion of
forts and garrisons, will fall to the lot of the
usurping English. The progress of the French
will expose their islands, first to be excluded
from the markets of Europe, and next to be
swallowed up by military power. At present,
the protector and the enemy are at an equal
s2
11 % n
N ,
t i
.1
260
IMPORTANCE OF THE
distance ; bnt then there will only be a narrow
frith between the Mississippi and the isles, be-
tween the invaders and the objects they covet,
while the defenders wonld be, as now, afar
off; neither apprised of our designs nor able
to defeat them.
** This nation coold not bary itself m a more
inaccessible fortress than this valley. The
mouths of this river, as to all attacks by sea,
are better tlian the bastions of Malta. AU
around the entrance is impassable to men and
horses, and the great channel is already har-
ried by forts, easily extended and improved.
A wise policy would teach the English to di-
vert our attention from this quarter, by the sa-
crifice of Valetta or Gibraltar.
" Can we imagine the fUiglish so vigilant, so
prudent in all affairs connected with their ma-
ritime empire; so quick in their suspicions;
so prompt in their precautions> ; can be blind to
the dangers with which this cession will menace
them? No defeats^ or humiliations, short of
their island, will make them acquiesce in such
arrangements.
" It is contrary to all probability that either
Spain or England will be tractable on this oc-
V.
A.
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES,
2GI
a narrow
isles, be-
ley covet,
low, afar
\ nor able
hi> a more
ey. The
Ls by sea,
;aUa. AU
men and
ready bar-
1 improved,
dish to di-
by the sa-
vigilant, so
their ma-
uspicions ;
|be blind to
lill menace
short of
ice in such
that either
on this oc-
casion ; but, if the danger, by being distant, is
invisible to them ; or if the present evils, arising
to England from continuance of the war, or to
Spain from the resentment of the Frenqh go-
vernment, should outweigh, in their appre-
hensions, all future evils, and prevail on one
to grant, and on the other to connive at the
grant, by what arguments, by what promises,
by what threats, by what hostile efforts, shall
we extort the consent of the American States ?
How shall we prevail on them to alienate the
most valuable portion of their territory ; to ad-
mit into their vitals a formidable and active peo-
ple, whose interests are incompatible, in every
point, with their own; whose enterprises will
inevitably interfere and jar with theirs; whose
neighbourhood will cramp all their movements ;
circumscribe their future progress to narrow
and ignominious bounds ; and make incessant in-
roads on their harmony and independence ?
" Long ago would the lesser princes of Italy
and Germany have disappeared, if Sweden,
France, Prussia, and Austria, had not stood
ready to snatch the spoil from each other.
Long ago would the Turkish robbers have
been driven back to their native deserts, if any
h W
'A
i'
A' '
1\,
Si !
I
:'^
I
(J
n
'■k
> \
V
262
IMPORTANCE OF THE
single nation of Europe had been suffered Vjy
the rest to execute that easy task. But the
Spaniards know that Spain and America must
one day fall asunder. Why then should they
decline a present benefit, in order to preclude
one means of an event, which yet, by other
means, if not by these, will inevitably hap-
pen ?
" As to England, all the disadvantages with
which this event is said to menace them are
real. All the consequences just predicted to
her colonies, to her trade, to her navy, to her
ultimate existence, will indisputably follow.
The scheme is eligible to its chiefly on this account,
and these consequences, if they rouse the
English to a sturdier opposition, ought like-
wise to stimulate the French to more strenuous
perseverance. /t;
** Bi.», in truth, every Frenchman must laugh
with scorn at the thought of British opposition.
What would the Spaniards say, were they told
by the English — You must not give away this
colony. Though a great incumbrance to you,
and a great benefit to those whom it is your
interest and duty to oblige, you must, by no
means, part with it. What patience, either
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
263
flfered V^y
But the
rica must
)uld they
preclude
by other
Lbly hap-
ages with
them are
edicted to
vy, to her
ly follow.
is account^
rouse the
ught like-
strenuous
nust laugh
opposition.
they told
away this
ce to you,
it is your
ust, by no
ice, either
in France or Spain, would tolerate an inter-
ference thus haughty, from an enemy to both ?
But when is this opposition to be made? Tliis
is not a subject of debate between the agents
of England and France. It falls not under
their discussion It cannot, therefore, be the
occasion of their interviews. Tliere is no room
for opposition to what comes not under our
notice. The cession must be made without
their knowledge. It is only to be published by
its execution, and when the French are safely
lodged in the Mississippi, the gainsayings of
the English will be too late.
" But there is a nearer, and, it must be own-
ed, a more formidable, nation to gain. If
there be any truth in the picture heretofore
drawn, of the value of this province to France,
it must be, in a still greater proportion, of
value to the American States. If the powers
of this rising nation were intrusted to the hands
of one wise ipan ; if the founder of the nation
was still its supreme magistrate^ and he had no
wills to consult but his oxvn^ the French, most
probably, would never be allowed to set their
foot on that shore ; but the truth, the desirable
truth, is, that opposition is the least to be
■;
'U*
.'<'
I
i .^■'
1
i
1
3:|
I
^^
iii
»
\\.
:t
11^
".*
' V
k
It
^
\
i
'\
. !■
1 i
I ;: 1
if
ttn4
IMPORTANCE OF THE
dreadrd from tho8<» wl»o have most reason to
oppOHo lis. They, whose intereslH are most
manifest, may he most easily deceived : whose
daiitver is most imminent, may most easily be
Inlled into secnrity. They, whose vicinity to
the scene of action puts it most in their power
to enact their own safety ; whose military force
might !)e most easily assembled and directed to
this end, we shall have the least tronble in di-
vidinj^, intimidating, and disarming;. ^ -^
" I come now to the last diflicnlty, which
the most scrnpnions objector has discovered ;
and this difficuUy rci/l he dissipated with more
case than the rest. On what foundation does it
ixjwscy but the visionart/ notion, that the cofi-
duct of nations is governed hj/ enlightened views
to their own interest ? The rnlers of nations
have views of their own, and they are gained
by the gratification of these private views. The
more individnals tliere are that govern, and the
more various their conditions and their charac-
ter, the more dissimilar are their interests, and
the more repngnant these interests to those of
each other, and the interests of the whole.
" Was there ever a people who exhibited so
motley a character : who have vested a more
r,V
HRITI8H AMERICAN COLONIE8.
^05
iirnitf>d and precarious authority in their rulers ;
who have multiplied ho much the uuinberH of
thoMe that govern ; who have dispcTsed them-
selvcR over ho wide a Apace ; and have been led,
1)y this local disperHion, to create «o many
clashing jurisdictionH and jarring interests, as
the States of America? - ; .:.rM^ . . ,
" They call themselves Jrta, yet a fifth of
their number are slaves. That proportion of
the whole people ai'e ground by a yoke more
dreadful and debasing than the predial servi-
tude of Poland and Russia. They call them-
selves oncy yet all languages are native to their
citizens. All countries have contributed their
outcasts and refuse to make them a people.
Even the race of Africa, a race not above, or
only just above, the beasts, are scattered every
where among them, and in some of the dis-
tricts of their eanpire, are nearly a moiety of
the whole, iii^^^r i^'tf -^m; . . m. !.,
*' Such is the people whom we, it seems, are
to fear, because their true interest would make
them our enemies ; with whom we are to con-
tend in negotiation, or, if need be, in arms!
We, who are as much a proverb for our skill
in diplomatics as in war; who have all the
111
i^
!*l
»fl!
'I
I
!
, '
;!.
hi
! (•
"I I
Hi V\
! if . »;-
<Vj
)) r
: i-
I
m r,
Ui[
266
IMPORTANCE OF THK
.1.1
> 'I-
fi f .1' ,
,
ri.l
I 1
. I
t '
unity in counsels; the celerity in execution;
the harmony of interests ; the wisdom of ex-
perience ; and the force of compactness, of
which this patchwork republic is notoriously
destitute. Their numbers! That, when the
parts are discordant, is only fuel more easily
kindled, and producing a more extensive and
unquenchable flame. Five millions of jarring
and factious citizens are far less formidable
than a disciplined and veteran legion of as
many thousands. ^.:
** But the great weakness of these States
arises from their form of government, and the
condition and the habits of the people. Their
form of government, and the state of the
country, is a hot - bed for faction and sedi-
tion. The utmost force of all the wisdom they
possess is exerted in keeping the hostile parts
together. These parts are unlike each other,
and each one has the individualizing preju-
dices of a separate state ; all the puerile jea-
lousies of the greatness of others ; all the
petty animosities which make neighbours quar-
rel with each other without cause. How slight
an additional infusion is requisite to set this
heterogeneous mass into commotion ? to make
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
267
the diflferent parts incline different ways, on
the great question of war ?
" The master of the Mississippi will be
placed so as to controul, in the most effectual
manner, these internal zvaves. It is acknoM'-
ledged that he holds in his hands the bread of
all the settlements westward of the hills. He
may dispense or withhold at his pleasure.
See we not the mighty influence that this
/ power will give us over the councils of the
States?'*
' A
(,'•
From the above extracts we learn the impor-
tance of which our enemy considered this terri-
tory ; whether looked at as a valuable acqui-
sition in point of produce or the means of fu-
ture annoyance. — How then is it possible to
account for that infatuated blindness which
could tamely permit the fradulent transfer of
so valuable a province.
The inhabitants of this extensive, populous,
and fertile country, hated the Americans, and
would have been glad to have been placed
under our protection. Our government, how-
ever, tamely looked on, whilst the United States
took possession of this fine country in trust
=iii
n
u
288
IMPORTANCE OP THF
Vl ;
i .1
for Buonaparte ; being the first step of a pro-
ject concerted between the American goveru-
nient and this Corsican tyrant, for wrestinj^* tlie
Canadas from us.
Passing over, however, all former transac-
tions, now is tlie time to rectify at once all for-
mer mistakes, by taking immediate possession
of this desirable country. Its own intrinsic
value renders it infinitely more than equal to
balance every expense of such an imdertaking,
even were the cost more than ten times the
amount which probability may indicate.
Its valu to us is greatly enhanced by its
contiguity to our West-Indian possessions, — by
the favourable disposition of the people towards
us, — ^^by its being the key to the rich and fertile
fulaius upon the rivers Mississippi and Ohio, —
by the door which it would open to the intro-
duction of our manufa€tures into one of the
most populous and richest of all the Spanish
colonies, (Mexico,) — and, by the command it
would give us over the United States. ,, ^
The possession of this territory would be,
to use Talleyrand's expression, ** a rein by
" which the fury of the States may be held at
*' pleasure." The Indians to the northward,
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONICS.
26f)
l»eiiig already devoted to our interest, the pos-
session of tliis country would place the
fndian force of almost the whole continent of
North America at our disposal. Thus should
we be enabled, at all times, to keep the United
States in check, almost without the aid of Bri-
tish troops.
In a commercial point of view, the acquisi-
tion of this territory would be of immense im-
portance. It would, at all times, secure to us
an opportunity of supplying the southern and
western parts of the Uniteil States with our
manufactures. And the Canadas, also, afford-
ing us the like privilege upon her northern
frontiers, we should thereby have, at all times,
secured to us a door of ready access to one of
the most valuable fields of British commerce.
The possession of all these colonies would
render the whole border of the United State*
a permanent channel, which the American go-
vernment never could prevent from beiog the
means of vending our manufactures throughout
the interior of her country, even whatever her
disposition might be in this respect.
The produce of Louisiana is lumber, wheats
rice, Indian corn, provisions, cotton, indigo^
tobacco, &c.
I I
M
I . i
'i!
iV
hi :l :
ji
270
IMPORTANCE OF THi;
ri
S: • 1* .
n
? Ui.
il
Mil
II'. 1
I I
'^^1
:, i.^
^
r\
k
•1
I'
^
g
,
id
kj
:
These are articles of great imiiortaiice, both to
ourVVest-Iiidian islands, and the motlier-country.
The carringo of tlie pro<lace of that country
would also be of great iniportance to our ship-
ping-interest : the additional employment it
would aftbrd our ships would be immense.
In fact, such an acquisition would be advan-
tageous to all parties ; to the mother-country,
by opening a new and extensive market for hev
luanufacture, — by securing to her an innnense
augmentation to the employ of her shipping,
besides insuring her, both in peace and in war,
an abundant supply of several articles of the
greatest importance. — The possession of this
territory wo(dd not only secure to our West-
Indian possessions an abundant and regular
supply of every article of American produce ;
but, in time of war, would, in many respects,
prove a protection and defence to them.
And, what is most important, the many ad-
vantages which the inhabitants of Louisiana
would derive from our being in the possession
of it, would undoubtedly secure their firm at-
tachment to oar interest. — The act of our
taking possession v ould be the immediate re-
mission of many heavy duties to which they
are now liable, and the immediate opening of
URITISH AMRRICAN COLONIES.
271
'14'
both to
ouiitry.
country
111' ship-
ment it
ise.
! advan-
:ountry,
for hev
mniensc
liipping-,
in war,
of the
of this
West-
reguhir
oduce ;
aspects,
imy ad-
iiisiana
session
irm at-
lof our
liate re-
h they
bing of
a market for their proihice ; whilst the produce
of the Unitcxl States wouhl continue blockaded
m their ports. There is no doubt but thit these
advantages, coupled with the hatred which the
inhabitants of that country bear to the Ameri-
cans, would render its possession at once secure.
J''iU)M the view which has been taken of our
provinct.'s iu America, particularly the Canadas,
it is evident, that amidst the various important
concerns which at present interest the British na-
tion, those matters respecting her colonies in that
quarter form a subject of tlie first importance.
Although these possessions have for many
years almost escaped her notice, yet the mag-
nitude of their vast and neglected resources, in-
capable of longer concealment, have at length at-
tracted attention, and now exhibit an inexl);tiis-
tible mine of wealth. — They present a permuiunl
source of maritime facilities and naval strengii ,
which to any nation would be of the greatest im-
portance. In the possession of the United States,*
* The Americans, being allowecl to catch tish all rouiul the
coast of these colonics, and encouraged to sell Ihcni in our
West-Indian islands, maj be ^aid to have been already actually
'fli
,' )
(
i iu
^
ih
,' I /7 1
~5f ^ *
t $ 11 I ;
, '••* 'i.
, !^ 'u
".•■
l< 'i^
, }\ k
>
I '
;/'
■1 ^
'.■•ul
f
♦■(;
r
EM
f
! •i
^:.
?i' y
I ■
I ^
:,r.
i
272
IMPORTANCE OF THE
they would soon raise her to the highest rank of
maritime power. — With the privileges of tlie
British ship-owner sacrificed to America to the
same extent they have been for the last thirty
years,* they would be sufficient to give her
the absolute dominion of the seas. To Great
Britain, therefore, these colonies are invaluable.
At the conclusion of the late American war,
the loss of the colonies, which now form part
of the United States, was considered as im-
ipiense, and almost irreparable.
The colonies which then remained in our
possession, however, and which now constitute
our present possessions in that quarter, esti-
mated either by the consequences which would
inevitably result to this country from their loss,
or by their actual value whilst in our possession,
are of infinitely more importance to us now
than those were to us at that period. I shall
therefore make a few observations concerning
them in both these respects.
The loss of them, and their annexation to
the United Stales, would be dangerous in the
put in possession of one of the principal utuntime resources of
these colonies by the British government.
* Sec No. 0, in the Appendix.
;st rank of
es of the
rica to the
last thirty
give lier
To Great
ii valuable,
rican war,
form part
ed as im-
;d in our
constitute
irter, esti-
ch would
heir loss,
)ssession,
us now
I shall
mcerning
Kation to
s in the
«
fcsources of
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONICS. 273
extreme. By some it may be considered but
idle speculation to suppose the loss of these
colonies as even possible. But, let it be re-
membered, that they who, during the late
American war, apprehended the ultimate loss
of our colonies, were also considered as ti-
morously anticipating evils which would never
happen; and apprehending losses which would
never be sustained. Were we not then taught,
by fatal experience, however, that our extra-
vagant contempt of the power of our enemy
might prove the means of our defeat, — of
placing victory in the hands of the imbecile,
and of humbling us even before weakness it-
self? as that instance and subsequent events
have fully proved. —
For, the result of the late war with the Ame-
ricans was, that they^ almost without an army^
actually heat us out of the field. They hare
alsot without a navy, ever since ^ awed us into
tame submission to the t?iost gross 'violation of
the maritime laxvs of Europe, And, whilst
their government was almost without form or
consistency, they threatened us into conces-
sions, by which they have acquired an amount
of merchant-shipping equal or even greater
T
i'T
.,1 ■
I
i.i:' I.
'1 \ \%.
ill
•r
'1'
I
i r.
I: il'
1'
I
■
\M
■""7^
■
.■ f
.,
;-P
r '
I
^
► 1
i
>' \
a
I
5S
■■il ■'.
1
-■*
II
Ir
' ,'.
I i '
flit
1^1
i
\
Mi
'III
I
i' '
V
■ «
274
rMPORTANCE OF THE
irtlM
than our own :* the greater proportion of
which — lamentable to state ! — has been reared
and supported by a sacrifice of the rights and
privileges of British ship-rowners and British
merchants.^
Respecting the means which the Americans
possess, of constructing and raising a naivy,
let us but ^or a moment reflect upon the fuUow-
ing circumstances, viz. what powerful fleets
nations of but small and trifling population,
compared with that of America, have, in some
instances, by careful nursing and proper pro^
tection reared upon only the pickings of the
carriage of the goods of other nations, such as
Holland, Venice, &c. Ought we not then to
view with a scrupulous eye the maritime ad-
vantages possessed by America — her geogra-
phical and political situation ;— her vast extent
of coast ; — the rapid increase of her popula-
tion, and the vast and unparalleled growth of
her commerce; — her extei^sive resources for
the support of her shipping;— the amount
of her tonnage, and number of the sailors
* See No. 14 in the Appendix.
■*- <i«x.' Cliap, III.
^im
)ortion of
en reared
•ights and
id Britisli
Americans
5 a naivy,
hefuUow-
rful fleets
lopulation,
e, in some
roper pro-
igs of the
ts, such as
9t then to
ritime ad-
geogra-
^ast extent
r popula-
^rowth of
wrces for
amount
le sailors
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
275
who man her merchant-shipping; — the abun-
dance of timber and other materials, with
which her country abounds, fit for the construc-
tioaj of ships of the largest dimensions, and
that her harbours are full of shipwrights suffi-
cient to build a navy in a very short period ;* —
and the striking events* and alarming effects,
as to the aggrandisement which our mistaken
poilicy piroduced in her commercial afairs i^
g«neraii in the short period of thirty years.
Let us seriously reflect upon these important
facts, and deeply ponder on the consequence to
which we should render ourselves liable, either
in risking the safety of our American colonies,
or in allowing the United States the undue ad-
vantages she formerly enjoyed over our own
merchants. j|^,^
The vast extent, even nineteen hundred mties,
of navig(able coast, full of populous towns,
and convenient harbours, occupied by the Uoi-
* One hundred and twenty sliipjvriglits, &c. are.uecesiiary
to build a seventy-four-gun-ship in six months. A similar
number employed in each of thirty of the sea-port towns of
the United States, are therefore capable of building no less
than sixty iine-of4>attle ships in .the course oif. twelve moutliii.
1" 2
'■I
Si
r,^
■ p
1 i
J"
'i
i
I ^
.1'
\
i\
I'
i
^
I, ;
I
11
,!
^\
if
]
\]
V
H
i
V
t!
■ (::.
.1-.
5'-
I
f^
II
4 pi
.,^'5^
•;^ i.'
> "•
!*: ■ 1
1.-* ■.
■:i : :
^'l<] i^-
1i '(T
•:^^ ^ ,
. ',■<■' K
■'S?
■ ** ,:'!
. 1 . 1
■^ '•'
'i;;
:;|J^!'
1.^ i I
i
''
il ,
1
•1
. ' 1
t i
1
i
:•
1
f
,
*■
Hi:
•
t
' (
276'
IMi'ORTANCE OF THE
ted States, — her immense shipping, and the
mode by which it has been acquired, are cir-
cumstances which, as well as the late over-
grown power of Buonaparte upon the conti-
nent of Europe, ought to excite our most se-
rious attention, and to be met by measures of
proper precaution.
These circumstances, minutely investigated
and maturely weighed, will be found, perhaps,
to forebode to us consequences nearly as
alarming as those which we might apprehend
from the reduction of the whole continent of
Europe, under the grasp of Buonaparte or
any other tyrant. For such a continental ccm-
bination against us, alarming as it would
necessarily be, could only be expected to con-
tinue but for a short period, as has of late been
most fortunately demonstrated.
The great body of such an empire acquired
and forced together by the unnatural grasp of
tyranny and oppression, and composed of na-
tions varying in manners, customs, languages,
and laws; differing fi*om each other upon points
of the most essential importance, and, conse-
quently^ convulsed by internal discontent,
would be but little calculated to mature any
nRITI''H AMERICAN COLON IKS.
277
and the
are cir-
ate over-
he conti-
most se-
gasures of
vestigated
, perhaps,
nearly as
apprehend
intinent of
aparte or
lental ccm-
it would
d to con-
late been
acquired
|l grasp of
ied of na-
|anguages,
)on points
Id, conse-
liscontent,
iture any
maritime project wliich would be adequate to
create and organise a fleet, in any degree cap..-
ble of coping with the British navy. But,
on the contrary, America not only pos-
sesses the most extensive maritime resources
and facilities, but is a country united by the
same language, manners, and customs, and,
already boimd together by one government;
and, moreover, every individual under that go-
vernment, having already benefited by an ex-
tensive shipping, are therefore intoxicated with
national pride at their late successes, and,
teeming with the idea of naval rank and
power, to which our half measures have
lately so mucli contributed. The measures
therefore, which might be adopted by a coun-
try so circumstanced, would be framed with
comparatively more consistency, and prosecu-
ted with more energy, and consequently must
produce effects proportionably of a more for-
midable and permanent nature, than those to
be apprehended from the measures of any con-
tinental coalition which could possibly be
brought together.
Who in this country, that values its inde-
pendence, would not be alarmed, were w(?
l^'
"l'
If f^;
{ ■■'
>
:* ;
( .(
!■ f
278
IMPORTANCE OF THE
to recognise France, Holland, Germany, Prus-
sia, Sweden, Denmark, and Russia, all organi-
sed under one government; or even the mari-
time districts of these countries ? There is not,
perhaps, a loyal subject in the country, pos-
sessed of common sense and sound understand-
ing, and an ordinary degree of discernment,
who would not apprehend consequences, which
would give him the most serious alarm.
But how different our ideas and apprehen-
sions appear to be in respect to the United
States! Although that government occupies a
coast, which, compared with the vast extent of
the continent of Europe, is equally extensive,
and, (having reference to that part of the
population only, who are employed and enga-
ged in maritime affairs,) is, perhaps, equally
populous, and indeed infinitely superior in
point of a variety of maritime facilities. — Notwith-
standing she possesses an amount of shipping,
and every other means which constitute the
sources from whence a navy is derived and sup-
ported, almost equally extensive as those posses-
sed by all these nations, yet these circumstances
appear to give us no serious concern.— Otherwise,
we should not have; Innioiv looked on, whih^t
f, Prus-
[ organi-
le inari-
•e is not,
ry, pos-
lerstand-
erninent,
BS, which
n.
ipprehen-
le United
iccupies a
t extent of
extensive,
trt of thfe
and enga-
s, equally
iperior in
-Notwith-
' shipping,
stitute the
ed and sup-
lose posses-
cunistances
-Otherwise,
on, \vhih>t
BRITISH AiUERICAr* COLONIES.
270
the Americans made such an extensive auj?-
mentation to their maritime resources as tlie
possession of Louisiana. — We should not, by
opening the ports of our East-Indian colonies
to their trade at hirge, whilst shut against the
great body of British merchants, have added
largely to their shipping by crushing our own. —
We should have neither encouraged nor al-
lowed them to liave caught cod-fish upon the
banks of our own coasts, and dry them upon
our own shores, for the supply of our West-
Indian settlements ; ^vhilst the fish caught aifcd
cured by our own colonists, were spoiling in our
merchants warehouses ybr wa72t of a market. —
We should not have secured to them the sup-
plying of our West-Indian settlements with
lumber, whilst that article was to be had in
abundance in our own colonies, and our own
ships rotting in port for want of employment. —
Neither should we have charged a lower duty
upon their produce, imported into this country,
than what we charged upon the produce o(
other foreign nations, whilst they never char-
ged lower, but in many instances higher, duties
upon our produce and manufactures than they
charged upon those of ether nations ; nor have
ii
\
I'ii
1
■; J
1<
1 1,',
til*-
r
1
' 1
li
"1 1
i
■ ,:< ".
■•15
ih ,
•i
.1
I S
'1
' ; ■>
:i
??«0
IMPORTANCE OF THE
iiieanlv submitted to their charge of a counter-
vailing duty of £'3 per ton in favour oj their
ships, whilst we charged onlj^ 22d. per ton in
favour of' ours.
The inhabitants of tlie United States — those
colonists who rebelled againr't the mother-coun-
try, as well in the treaty which acknowledged
their independence, as in all subsequent trea-
ties, have in all our commercial arrangements
with them, had not only the greatest advantages
allowed them, over the *' most favoured na-
tions," but even been put upon a more favoura-
ble footing than our own colonists, — a more
favourable footing than the true and faithful
inhabitants of these provinces, whose blood
and treasure were, and are at this very moment,
cheerfully sacrificed to the salvation of these
colonies to the Biitish nation.
It would have been comparatively well for
our loyal colonists, had they been put upon an
equally favourable footing as the Americans.
For, it will be observed, from what has been
already stated, that we allowed the latter to
impo t their produce into Great Britain, in
their own ships, at nearly the same rate of
duties as was charged upon that from our own
rolonies, and also k('pt the ports of our "West-
unter-
^ their
ton in
-those
•-coun-
ledged
it trea-
enients
Ullages
ed iia-
avoura-
a more
faithful
blood
omeiit,
f these
-ell for
Ipon an
?ricans.
IS been
itter to
lin, in
Irate of
liir own
West-
BRITISH AMF.RirAN COLONIES.
281
Indian islands almost constantly open to them
as a market, where no duty was charged upon
their produce, thereby allowing them, although
foreigners, the rights of British colonists.
These unprecedented advantages, coupled with
the privileges which their independence as a
nation gave them of trading, I may say, to all
the ports of the world besides, secured to
them an uniform demand for their produce, and
employment to their ships, thereby at all times
encouraging the growth and exportation of
their produce.
It is therefore evident that from our govern-
ment having neither allowed our colonists to
trade to foreign ports, nor protected their in-
terests according to the established laws of the
land, by an adequate difference of duties in
their trade with herself, the British market
being over-stocked with importations from the
United States must have proved tenfold more
discouraging to the British colonists than to
the Americans.
Had American produce been liable to the
same duties as the produce of other foreign
countries, in that case, the difference of those
payable upon the produce of the United States,
and those payable upon that of the British
a
:i
i]
,1
'■f
^i
I
it
'; I,
{':
ill
i
,L
'f
f •■ — ■«
<%
r
■
1
i\
i;
H
.:? •
t
a»2
IMPORTANfE OF THK
proviiici*M, would have given our colonists sucli
advantaji^es, — such fair, JuhI, and equitable ad-
vantages, as would have balanced tliose which
the Americans derived from their connnerciul
intercourse with ports, from which tlie British
colonists were excluded. Had this been tin?
case, at this very period these provinces would
have had a population double to that which they
have at present, and would have been more
than sufficient to supply the mothrr-counlry
and her West-Indian colonies with lumber,
p^rain, flour, fish, &c.: at this period, the Amt*-
rican shipping", compared with what it is now,
would have been small, and the amount of Bri-
tish ship|)ing proporlionably greater, with am-
ple employment.
In fact, in every instance so completely have
the Americans been our superiors at negotia^
tion, that the result of all our treaties with
them, and of all our commercial arrangements
in which they were concerned, have amounted
either to the robbery of the British provinces
of their legitimate rights and privileges, or a
sacrifice of our shipi>ing-inleresl, and indeed,
in most instances, to both.*
Sec Chap. III.
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
383
Reciprocity of iiitcrest has been uniformly
imderdtood to hv nn axiom, in tlie negotiation
of all treatief4, and, const^nently, might have
been reasonably looked for in tlio«e we entered
into with America ; but there we look for it in
vain : — instead of reciprocity, we find, from
what has been advanced, nothing but the
grossest partiality and the most unjust advan-
tages granted the Amerif^ans.
The advantage which they had over us, in
respect to the expense of navigating their
ships, being unattended to by us, as already
observed, operated as a powerful auxiliary in
giving effect to the direct advantages we allow-
ed them, and indeed almost entirely excluded
ourii from any participation of the carriage of
their produce in general. But, in respect to
lumber in particular, this disability brought
with it consequences, which were, in the ex-
MgpGy destructive of our interests ; namely, by
preventing the shipment of lumber from the
British provinces, where our ships would,
without being rivalled, have earned the whole
freights. For the 28^. per ton against our ships,
as stated in No. 5, with only about \s, lOd. per
ton, countervailing duty, as stated in No. 3, to
i
! It;
'■V
1 '
if
it
r' .
i
"I
\\
i! M
'^' /Ji
I
1 f^
^5 f
i'
? i? ^
!^:
^ii I '
i*j
i
Hi
ill!
!;|H
?
i U
i'l: I
Ujrf j
w
I'l
! 1
2bi
IMPORTANCE OP THK
balance it, actually shews 26^. 2d. per ton in
favour of the American ships : having identi-
cally the same effect as a countervailing duty
charged by the British government, upon tim-
ber imported from the British provinces, in
favour of the importation of that article from
the United States.
I do not urge that this great value and ac-
cumulated expense of navigating our ships
was, abstractedly considered, any disadvantages
which we brought upon ourselves, or, that it
is one that we could have directly removed :
but, I say it ought to have been so attended
to, as lo have put us upon the alert to prevent
other circumstances from coming to its aid, to
the injury of our shipping.
Had not the inhabitants of the British pro-
vinces possessed a soil far superior to that of
the United States, and, therefore, proportion-
ably a superior quality of timber, from jj^e
comparatively high freights occasioned by me
great expense of our ships, they could have
made no exports of that article, whilst this
commercial regulation or absurdity existed,
which admitted United-States timber at a re-
duced duty. This providential circumstance,
■ ) ■>
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
285
however, — the accidental superiority of their
lumber, procured them a small share of this
trade, notwithstanding the powerful operation
of this expense of navigating their ships, aided
by the low duty we charged in favour of the
United States.
In whatever lidit we view the numerous
and enormous advantages allowed the Ameri-
cans, they will be found to be downright con-
cessions and sacrifices; for we could not be
said to have had, in any single instance, even
the shadow of an equivalent.
The principal advantage which we have
been said to derive from our commercial deal-
ings with America, has been the demand she
afforded us for our manufactures. But, in this
respect, did she give us a preference ? No ; her
market was open to the manufactures of other
countries as well as to ours, and the same du-
ties charged upon ours as upon those from
other countries.
Indeed, for several years past, it has been
matter of deep concern to those Britons who
derive the smallest pleasure from reflecting
upon our former naval superiority, -^who are in-
spired with the least spark of zeal for our fu-
' ,u
i;l
i
ii.'
I.}
:'; -in
t
.
•i
}'i
■' 'V '
.U
'>'
1^'
'■i.
t
■1 ■
' ' r'i ^
1
*.' ■• ■
'■ V:i
;v.) ' ;5
It
t'
■ \ \
2B6
rMPORTANCE OF TWE
lure giteatncss and independence, ito have seen,
•previous ;to our present differences with Ame-
rica, our shifts iying rottin^^ in port, — ovir mer-
ichaiit .dock-yards ail dwindling to decay, and
many of them even deserted, and our ship-
wrights and sailors sent, by our impolitic pro-
ceedings, to America to build and man the
shipping c^' the United States, for which our
government had so liberally provided employ-
ment, — sent .there in furtherance of the scheme
which may be truly said to have been founded
by American wisdom, foresight, artifice, and
low cunning, upon British imbecility and pusil-
lanimity, far turning over the British shipping
to t lie United States,
And to what do we owe the temporary
rcheck, which has been put to these pro-
iCeedin^jS ; for it is still a question, whether or
not it may be rendered pennanent ? Why ; more
to the pampered temper, hatred, a»d ilUhu-
mour, of this spoiled child than to our own
wisdom or fori.sjght.
- The Americans having already gaiued every
point they disputed with us, became impatientfor
immediate possession of the source ii'om whence
w.e derived our maritime superiority. Con^i-
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
287
tiering as too tardy the means by which we w^re
ill effect yielding them up the trident, and encou-
rageil to attempt wresting, by force, what our
government was systematically granting by
mean concession, they have thereby saved it to
the British nation for the present. — They have,
indeed, in this ins^tance, afforded a pause
for surveying and reflecting upon past occur-
rences, that I sincerely hope will teach us the
necessity of proceeding with caution in all our
future negotiations and transactions witli them,
which is my sole motive, (and, indeed, a very
important one,) for bringing these past trans-
actions under review.
However, notwithstanding these bonuses,
generously granted by oiii* government to the
United States, had so far exceeded the bounds
of prudence, as not only to lose sight oi that of
reciprocity, but actually to place our merchant-
shipping upon the verge of ruin, and, conse-
quently, our navy and nation at large in jeo-
pardy; yet, the Briti h nation in general, not
only countenanced ministers in these sacrifices,
but appeared still inclined, and did» all along)
urge them on to further concessions.
It therefore appears, that all ranks of so-
ciety in this country had, with on? consent.
■ft".
i I
!■ I
Vf
w
I'
• ■ f
I'
i I •
w
l(. .
r -r — 'yms
It."'
U' r;^ ,a»:i
(4
> !'.
i !,■'
M
28a
IMPORTANCE OF THE
S£
agreed to comply with the unreasonable de-
mands of America; and, indeed, all in their
turn have lent their aid or shewn their good-
will in furtherance of the enormous encroach-
ments of the government of the United States.
Indeed, upon every occasion the country in
general appeared disposed to out-strip govern-
ment in ^.idking sacrifices to America. For,
when our ministers, having at last become sensi-
ble of the impohcy of further concessions, began
to make a stand, appearing inclined to retract
where it could be consistently done, they were,
in these laudable exertions, opposed and as-
sailed by clamorous parties of various descrip-
tions, both in and out of parliament. This
was particularly the case of late, when they
endeavoured, and, indeed much to their credit,
persevered in asserting the established mari-
time laws of Europe, — laws, which had so
much contributed to the high rank which we
hold amongst other nations, — laws, the rigio
observance of which, is indispensably neces-
sary to the support of this elevated situation,
and, consequently, essential to the very exis-
tence of our independence. ^
It is proper here to remark, that, from the
facts which have been stated, the principal
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
289
sacrifices were commenced immediately after
the American war, and were made with the
greatest liberality up to the commercial treaty
into which that government frightened us in the
year 1794.
At the commencement of the restrictions
which the Americans imposed upon their com-
mercial intercourse with this country, the sa-
crifice of the commercial, shipping, and colo-
nial interests of Great Britain had actually
become so notorious, as has been already
stated, as was sufficient to induce a belief, that
the British government, in their commercial
arrangements with the Americans, liad no con-
cern for the interests of this country. These
foreigners had the ports of our colonies kept
open to them against the wise laws of our
ancestors, and contrary to the example and
sound policy of other nations ; — they were en-
couraged to supply our settlements in the West
Indies with fish* and lumber, when the fishe-
* The demand for fish in our West-Indian settlements,
upon an average of three years, ending 1807, was 456,221
cwts. 97,486 of which was furnished by the mother-country,
leaving 358,735 cwt. which should have been supplied from
our own American fisheries. But, strange and unaccount-
able as it may appear, although our own fisheries produced
U
V I.
I
'•1:
If
■ 1
II
'5fi,
t I
;; \
I
ii
If
'i
. I
■i.^
,1'
Hi ^.
tl
i ?!
^"li-n
a
mi', )•
ilf'
; • i . ft
I. ■. ' 1
i
I
I:
i it-
>i 'I
f I
i^
if
I
i--i
290
IMPORTANCE OF THE
ries and timber-trade of our own colonies were
in the most depressed state; — they were en-
couraged to trade to our settlements in the
Mediterranean, and to oar Asiatic establish-
ments, and, in particular, to supply these with
masts and spars, as well as every other kind
of lumber, whilst British colonists were, and
are to this very moment, excluded these pri-
vileges ; at least with the trifling exception of
some few ports in the Mediterranean, wherein
they have lately been allowed the great privi-
lege of coming in competition with these foreign-
ers in a trade, which, according to the laws of
the land, ought to have bsen altogether sacred
to British subjects. And, moreover, they have
been allowed upwards of three thousand per cent.
advantage ov our ship-owners in the counter-
vailing duty charged by them and us, respective-
ly, besides their produce being admitted into
817,351 cwt. and, from their discouraged slate, were ca-
pable of the greatest improvement ; yet the British govern-
ment encouraged the Americans to supply 188,125 cwt. of
this 358,735, whilst, from their impolitic measures, they so
cramped this valuable branch of trade from our American
colonies, that only 170,010 was supplied from our own fish-
eries in that quarter.— See No. 18, in the Appendix.
• ll
i'
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
291
ies were
vere en-
in the
stablisli-
ese with
ler kind
are, and
lese pri-
?ption of
wherein
at privi"
I foreign-
p laws of
sacred
ley have
percent,
counter-
pective-
ed into
were ca-
sh govern-
25cwt. of
s, they so
American
own fish-
X.
this country at a lower duty than that charged
upon other foreign produce, to the great discou-
ragement of our colonial and shipping interests ;
whereas, they allowed us no advantage over
other foreigners, but, on the contrary, singled
us out for many insults and disadvantages.
These enormous, these unaccountable and dig-
graceful sacrifices were continued to the Ame*
ricans, as long as their insufferable ambition
and hostile disposition, engendered by our
pusilanimity, would allow the enjoyment of
them.
It is notorious that -a reformation of the
abuses which existed in the management of
our maritime and commercial concerns with
America, previous to the commencement oi
the present war vf\\h that country, was highly
necessary. This circumstance should there-
fore be duly attended to, in any negotiation
into which we enter with that country. Re-
garding the footing upon which we stoo<l with
the United States previous to the present war,
however, it is but just to remark, that our
present ministers deserve some degree of merit
for the stand they made in our continued pro-
gress of concession to that country as well as
t2
w
li <
I I
r
111:
ll
'I
I
ill
■!w;
11
SI
li
ur
i
fvl;
I
^t
r:
:'{'
llil -•!!•
, i
ly
1 ''
rl ^
f;j. i
f
1 ly
I
i :■'
il-':
i
■( .
292
IMPORTANCE OF THE
for some attempts at a reformation of former
abuses.
In this, however, they were assailed by the
strongest opposition, — by the clamour of an
interested party, who were heard from various
parts of the country, — and by what is called
the opposition in parliament, who have upon
every occasion strenuously advocated the
cause of America, even to the fullest extent of
her unreasonable demands.
As the reformation of the shameful abuses
which have existed in the disposition of all our
arrangements with America has fallen to the lot
of our present ministers, it is most devoutly to
be hoped they will perform it scrupulously
agreeable to our maritime laws, as far as
relates to our shipping; — congenial with the in-
terests of the community at large, as respects
our commerce and colonies in general; — and in
every respect becoming the dignity of the Bri-
tish nation.
The uniform hostile disposition which Ame-
rica has evinced towards us renders it the im-
perious duty of ministei *.i their conduct to-
wards her, both to adopt the most prompt and
decisive measures in defending our America?^
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
293
)f former
}d by the
)wv of an
n various
is called
lave upon
:ated the
, extent of
ful abuses
I of all our
L to the lot
evoutly to
upulously
as far as
rith the in-
s respects
— and in
the Bri-
lich Arae-
it the ini-
mduct to-
^ompt and
^.merican
provinces during the present war, and to pro-
ceed with the greatest caution and circumspec-
tion in negotiating a peace. The most wary
and guarded conduct in all our proceedings
with a conntry of such immense and unprece-
dented growth, both as respects her popula-
tion and commerce, is highly necessary. In
the short space of 20 years, she has doubled
her population, which is now nearly 8,000,000 ;
encreased her ex|X)rts i'rom about 16,000,000
to 118,000,000 dollars; her shipping from
939,000 to 1,911,250 tons;— and, before she
had either raised an army or fitted out a iiavy,
has actually, by her threatenings and artful ne-
gotiation, nearly doubled her territorial extent,*
and trebled her maritime resources.'!*
Is it not trifling, then, with the most serious
* This acquisition will be found in her possession ol
Louisiana.
t The permission granted her for tisliing upon the coast
of our American colonies— her possession of Louisiana, —
and the general sacrifice of our maritime laws, which was
commenced immediately after her uKiependence, and made
in the most unlimited manner, up to her actual hostilities
against us, has certainly trebled her niaritinie resources.
n
ih
t m
M
i "f J
'ili
'I : §
■ 1.1
i
*
«
3.
I!
ti,
f
i
:l ■!•
i!'! .
I't
u
1
)
294
IMPORTANCE OF THE
and important concerns of the British nation, to
overlook, as we have hitherto done, the unprece-
dented growth and aggrandizement of this im-
mense cjuntry? — To risk ahnost unprotected
our valuable Canadian possessions to the attack
of this artful and successful enemy, and by our
neglect of these provinces excite the disaffection
of their inhabitants, and thereby turn their un-
paralleled loyalty and patriotism into cold indif-
ference to our interests, must be considered a
crime of the first magnitude committed against
the British nation.
Whatever importance, however, these colo-
nies derive from an apprehension of the con-
sequences which might result from their loss
and annexation to the United States, they de-
rive infinitely more from the great advantages
which may be drawn from their valuable in-
herent properties and extensive resources.
The loss which we sustained, by the dis-
memberment of those of our colonies, which
now form part of the United States, by the
last American war, was considered immense,
and it certainly was a loss of great magnitude ;
but those provinces, which then remained to
us, being our present possessions in that quar
BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES.
295
mM
ter, are, in every rjispecl, as 1 liave already
observed, of iiilinitely more iiuporlaiice to us
now than the colonies then lost were to us at
that time.
At the commencement of tiie late Ameri-
can war, the colonies which we lost then
onJy annually exported produce to the amount
of about .£1,752,142; those that remained in
our possession, now annnally export to the
amount of about ^3,000,000.--Then 193,890
tons of shipping were all that was annually
employed in the exportation of the produce of
the colonies we lost at that time ; 309,994 tons
are now annually employed in the exportation
of the produce of the colonies now in our pos-
session. — Then the amount of our manufac-
tures, &c. annually imported into the colonies
which we lost, was only about ^^2, 732,036,
whilst the possession of these provinces afford-
ed no further facilities in this respect, than that
which their own consumptic»n produced ; but
the amount now annually imported into the
colonies which remained and is now in our
possession, is upwards of X^5,000,000, inclu-
ding goods vended through these settlements
into the United States, into which they con-
U
k
i
(t
III
lb f
.'1%
I fV Mi!
.i
i ?l
296
IMPORTANCE OF THE
stitute a door of access, more than 1200
miles in width, for the introduction of our
manufactures into that country. — A door,
which, if the British are sufficiently awake
to their own interests in keeping it open,
will not only render embargo, nou-intercoiirse,
or, even war itself, ineffectual in preventing
the most extensive importation of our manu-
factures into the United States ; but, what
is also of infinite importance, it will, both in
peace and in war, render the duties charged
upon our manufactures imported into the Uni-
ted States, operate as premiums or counter-
vailing caties for encouraging their introduc-
tion from the British settlements, and thereby,
not only render prohibitory measures ineffec-
tual, but, what is also of immense importance,
a preference to the manufactures of other na-
tions impossible.
In fact, notwithstanding the advantages which
the United States have derived from her neu-
trality, during the convulsed state of Europe
for the last twenty years, her great acquisition
of territory, and the enormous commercial sa-
crifices which she has enjoyed from Great Bri-
tain ever since her independence; yet, the ex-
n 1200
of our
I door,
' awake
t open,
rcoiirse,
eventing
r inanu-
ut, what
botli in
charged
the Uni-
counter-
ntroduc-
thereby,
ineffec-
)ortance,
ther na-
es which
her neu-
Europe
quisition
rcial sa-
reat Bri-
, the ex-
BRITISH AMERICAN PROVINCES.
297
ports, both in point of tonnage and value, from
our remaining provinces, sliackled and discou-
raged as they have been, have, compared with
the American exports, experienced an equal
ratio of increase.
Our East-Indian possessions, which have
of late occupied so much of our attention,
appear of great consequence, and are certainly
possessions of great magnitude. — Boasting a po-
pulation of (>0,000,000, whilst the vast patronage
necessarily attache'! to colonies of so great a
population and extensive territory, certainly
render their importance very conspicuous : but,
in point of real worth to the nation, they fall
infinitely short of our American colonies. For,
it will be observed, and it is worthy of remark,
that these Asiatic possessions only employ an-
nually, in their exports to this country, about
40,000 tons of shipping ; whilst our American
colonies^ in their exports, employ upwards of
300,000 tons.
In 1810, the imports, from our East-Indian
colonies, amounted only to about ^.3,000,000,
while the imports from our American colonies
amounted to upwards of that amount, with the
|!
ll'
\' I
^y
\
i
h
1
III
ii
V//J
li •' I'
Il
298
IMPORTANCE OF THE
■■\t
j ■ J , ft!
■ 1 1 ';!
^:i^l
.; U:\i
1 1
(>:'
most flattering prospect of encrease.* Of these
respective imports, too, the freight upon those im-
ported from the East-indies amounted only to
about jg 1,200,000, whilst, of those imported
from our American provinces, upwards of
^2,500,000 was composed of the earnings of
British ships, — the most valuable species of
British commercial revenue. Regarding, more-,
over, ihi'«e imports, which in point of value
appear nearly of an equal amount, it may b
observed, that four or five ships, manned
with a few enervated foreigners, who must,
imder a heavy penalty, be returned to their
native country, are sufficient to import Asiatic
produce and manufactures to the amount of
a million sterling; whilst to import of the
produce of our American colonies to that
amount an immense fleet, manned with several
thousand of the hardies I seamen (our own
countrymen) must be employed.
* See Nos. 11 and 12.
J
!
APPENDIX.
li
!l
I •>
n i
n'
!!,■
II
t»f
lib
i
I
;J0(>
Ai'rr:Ni>i\
u
«
'^
;i
1^
t
V
fc
•r
H
ai
C
-3
1
JCI
«
s ^
>rj 4.'
<
J3 -^
— 4'
.— C
no
t; ■ ■' ■ OA l>
cij^ 00 iq CO <H 's'j
oi oe "n »-" o >
«-4 CI Ol »
00
«> "C C cji
HA ^ !i l ^ .. ■ ^ T . T T
•f t-< O 'J> >-< C 'i Q o
f,\ ■-[>_ », -* -t Ti >+ e C3
>o oj ;" '1^ 'o >'? •H 'o ^•
'1" 'O "-^ «H 'O
ri 'II (4
CO
Tl -,f
<M
o
»-tT^ K >0 »-< ^' '0 "^ '^ ''^^^
•♦• U OC tl M< T* C« t 'C '(^ 1^ f-
K ''n C IT .-< CC '"^ C >T C5 ''» »-«
•t 00 'O in Q 'ff J r* 'o 01 if
eo lO «5 'O CTi *« »» O)
IT •? Tl « ^
-f '^ 'O '5'j '<\
»J O n iC Q
»-i fn r-* 'O "T)
">n '■> "of '^
(■J ir\ CO o
tf^ tH r-« 'T
•X3 «H tH
00 ^ >r<^
c>> If. iQ >r
h. >t <o ^
"3^"
Ci f^ K "-I
>~< vij •:<* lO
C O "n *•
A "tH*"*^
Hi:
00
a
^
K
;^
*<
rH
V>
55
».
»^
^f^
Cf
O
?
«5
51.
<*» C «- «l
N. — ' 'C •-<
''i ^"^ ''\ '^
®« »f •»" 1H
o
00
'f CO
08 <C
Tl ■*
't> Tl df) p
"1 v^ lo O
•j-l
■rl 4
<0 ■»! 'f' t-< $
•f K »-< Ci O
r-< ^,-1
iri TH
i<*s •j'^ fl*> «o
C> fj t^^ v-^
f. v-> vr> So
*-^ ■>! "^ •-«
m ^^^ ««•
''> c ■■»
>C o; vi
c if^ >o
^ 'r^ ^-«
<?1 CO rw
s
H
.•*^ ^f^ "^ *i O
^ij' »^ 'O >
^
<M <-« 00
«"5
'■■•
:^
lA
""2
C 'C
CO CO
try
•-' Ci
.n 5
If- ip
<-> 'Tl
'." (•. :•' 'f
ir> -f 'c 'o
o t. 'O ■>«<
* O ':'^
i 'c 'O
0-: '3-1 'O
f- I'M .r>
'C (- <-<
0_ "O <-^
•7^ tH 'Tl
v<5 ^
<r>
<-" 'C 00 in
oq; •- *i <N
CT
1
ai ri lo
<-l oi <^
>«
"T '-i CO
<r
.•'-» r^
N
r^
00
■Tl
O
00
-Jl
•o
-o5T>.'
Ql "*
-■ -I* <5
Cl .-M .fl
u:
as
03
E
-o
c
(0
a
2
> >
tt It
r3
c
«
m
■c
u
I
V
U4
«l ^
fO
o
M
a.
y
o J- c C V c
It
bO ti
O 3
L.S5-~ '■^^ =" 5:.E 3- 3° 3
:St/:c«a<<5i-iSHt«c):P'^P4S:o'
c »»
« c
^ e " « "
► s * -°«
^ < »•
1
] 1
r' ■•
CO
ro 1*
»1« iri
i»^ <n o
"^ '1 '^
ir> fa »,
1
'0
Ti rj) o
»H >0 >^
1
"7 5 ■
If- ic
f.f ^*^
1
t4
i». ■:^ ^
-f 'C 'O
^- 'D •«»*
_
..—
S?3
Oi <J-I 'i)
0» "^
:-
j:.3 I,
(T) flj "J
2 4< <u t-;
' (J <n »>
3 O 3
APPF.NOIX
■snr
••■4 (-•
"f^
"trrr
o>
>r)
■Z> ''■' 't> "> "' w '
r* '0 Tt -)»
^
?rr
\'ii:^
'1 f}i
f
-^1 N
OI U
5^t
C' '.T) 1» t-« 'J I --^
!0 C '-T3 «
I 4 -
-< -1< II '
I Tl
CO -t'
J^ CO
• - >»
¥
"J!
" t';'?; ^?. -5
'5 ^ '■'%
•S, "^ '''Ti
9» OI
r^ ^ .-4 ^ IX) -f ''i, I. rn""^
■ r, 'O ■■!> M I'l >-< -< I- 'r
O »• Q}
»H 00 ■■?>
■Tn
irj -J,
31 rt
S'nj \r) ^ ■Ji so •-
W
f) 00 ~> -r o -p •}• a. I"
O 10 in o O •-< 'O '<Ti •-• ''
'O
* oi 'w '0 '5>
9 'P '-'
CO
95
'^o
o
go ig t- ■>» CO ';5 J» N 7> 'O -io
O 00 O' I- K 'O t- «0 •>» CO 'JO
*'•, 'Si ''1 '^l "1; "i "i P, 'i '*1 •"•
oT 'O ^? -"f 'd 00 "? 'ji 'O "i
rt iri th T-(
1- IH fJI
'C rt lo 'o ^ »i eo -p r^ ctT
2» © t- 'I' -O 03 -^l 10 •+ t-i
CT> Oi >• 'M "T 00 Tl "T 00 (i*}
oq (i*j 00 "^o
Ol -I" 'O ri CO U 07 fO •?• K> r^
O, tH r-. r-l . - -
l>l »-l
Ol
W 'O N N N •H h.
•f Ol 130 '^ ^ "
«>.
10 'd -O Ol --I ift K o o
>♦ 'O U 00 -)< O "t 'O ^
'-' '0 © ♦-> "D 00 ». Ol 03 ■♦
»^ '>♦ •! tH rH "i" »>. rH
5
'oo « >ft li*
•5:
5'^;§
O 00 O. 0> '.0 ';0 I-
M 00 •«? «>.
■0 t>
'.0 c.
CO
ri •£>
T-" K }» K Ol '0 'C ">» r.o
Ci 50 T-l —
O 'D rl
»-l IT) •-< H
r^
■d 1
il Ol 110 ^o
■O 1(0 Ol
rH O -f"
O >» cO 1
r-T 'd 1
1
•O "h «5 <-*
'O O «-i »,
-f 00 3. 'O
'lO -< Ol tl
. '1 'S'J *-, t
33 f. -t^"
o. 1
•O O 'r' -p
) Ol Q 9» -f
) ir; -?• '0 >0
lO TH tc ':T
^
...
"■
— —
1
.3
ol
(/•J
1
-l
mu
,
^^■^
t
1/1
1/1
,S
1 \
u
t/»
(/j
X
•<
PS
1
•^
_j
' 1
t
il
u
•V
^^
1
1
1 X)
. . li •
1
I
•J
* > s
«■ ■
i- =
^ 1
, 1-
t n)
. t
(■* ?3
^ r
H %J
•«- > .
t,/) CI o
Ch
K « 1/ 'J 4., ,
o 4* ii « « -;
iJ o o
Bad
Cast
.noi
! /
1i'
'§
''I
1)1
'AIQ"
302
APPENDIX.
9>
00
00
K »0 0^ 00 CO
T-t <o *i -n '-t
2
N 0> »♦
CO .^ <N
<J> 00
O 00
fcF> 00
<o 00
© ^
tjl -W rtl ^ ■<T
oo (:t> CO <>»
II
3
INI III
CO
00
o
00
to ^ >» <?!
00 "5 ^J^OJ;
C? •* <0 00
t» tH iH ■H
\0 Jg 00
09
o
^ b. 0» ij*
WD I S ■<}< tH
III
00
1
f
s
00
<n to 'fJ «>.
<N t- '-I '?
S* <* o> -^O
00 O^ ♦» 1"
0> TH CO IC
00 Q CO
f>. ■^ 'H
•* ir5 CO
CO N
CO O '-O 'O »»
00 ^ o* 00 »-<
9? »M
oo O
00 o>
00
CO
o
00
oo <*» t» ■*
o <b 00 CO
C- ^ »0 Oil
CO Tj< CO ic
■* o» t^
(J, to <o
(7» to ■^
•» •• n
lO ®» CO
o»
1(0 to
I I ^
^55
00
CO
o
03
so O'f K -<
■<* Tp '}' 00
IfJ ^ O 1H
"» ^ •» •»
Tl O 00 N
«i
O Oi
O '-^
If? 3»
T-i 0» Q
!Jt CO
O "«<
to
00
to
o
oo
00 th oi -'
o o> lO o>
Ci C) 'O T^
to O CO '-0
CO -t rl
'O CO OO
"O oJ oJ
71
CO
Q '-^ »H
00 T-t
CO
co"
c
a
in
o
03
to O M 'O
»-< 0> '-0 'O
O "^ '^ i-t
C-> CO to ■^
0» iH >»
— . to —
^H r^ -H
o o ©♦
«k M M
to >0 r^
c c •« o^ ■■j»
^^ — -- o» t*
!>.■
. ;i^ 1^
O
o
03
CO
O
oe
C/3
o
Mm
CO en ■+ to
•n. to CO 03
O O rH 13^
O — I «N
CO tH »»
'O 03 ■>*
c>» oi CO
'O CO O !N VO
»o cy. b- 'O ■*
Of oo s<
3^ G^ — 'f5
■* CO 00 o
in Tj< irj ts
CO '* t> T^
to T-l tH
CO
(>. J<> 03
'O <o J-l
C t>. OC 'O 03
CO ■* O 0> ""J"
0> O O)
3
33
da
l-H
O
3
P3
to en t/3 71 en eft
O £^ U £^ •- O
fc- r" I- C '-^ fc>
2 S « S .t!'^
c
00
00
to
00
O
a
o ^
I-' u
< s>
e: a
c ^
it Cj
MO.
O to
6. o
5 "
a. 'i*
» Ex
1 "U »
O 6 3 CO
S
. ^
T3
« SI
A. «
S « £ >1
Q^ cti (Lj ra
APPENDIX.
II
00
00
III
09
00 OJ
CO
111
00
00
CO
9)
in
03
00
VO
00
f 'B
I 2
13
- - S g
(j^ rt D ra
S X
303
«o*-
S S ^o CO to 6.
1! —
•r "O c t- t^ th iry
CO
■n a
•
^ 'i
-
<0 W
to CO
'O O - ■ "C 'O
Q
'O 00 <o -^ f
'-I t;o -^ tH rt
O 1
a, o
n v:
.\
^ 2
04
3 "
»j t<
o.
v-"» CD
*©
G»
Q CO
'Ml
»o
(i»
,0 ^
CO
'-0 0^
»•
1 "3
•O
o a>
•4
U1
CTi 1
o 1
■^
m 1
1 i
.
o.
S §^
'«
o cy>
o
>f5
"* '^
'C
1^^
00
°i ^
-1
1
CO
o «
t-l
i
01
|5
.si -o
<o
^ o>
so
T-t
CO
^- §, 1
^
•*
r? TH 1
T^
1 .
s
2 '43
8
t»
«- " 1
lie-
fe
t»
:^ 1 I 1
o
"i * .a
'
o « "
SS bO .-
tH
O
<2 2 =-
Tt<
U3
«^
o
•^
!>.
1
'O u •»
QJ l/>
i ■
1:
1/ £ 2
B c 5
« 1
#-* t/J ^
« u
" SI
5 ? a s s s
"2
S CO &.
2i U -n
o =2 -
4^'
O '
^oc
• ' 1
1 1 1 1
la
1 ^
S
' 3
n <" W.
Q '
-•*
"C O X3
' ' ' ' x^'o
. O
',•15 ^
T c t:
.n " ««
FIS
Salmon -
■5
1
TO
O
<« -a , ^J --
K t/: lyj 73 O
* . 2
in
t^
~ K
O
1- 5
c
(h S
c:
O to
0.
M
'•24
i\
n
1 !
1.
304
APPENDIX.
I
ti
i m
« 't
i '''
Vi
! M
M
■««
■*
^s
.^ o o o o
o
OO 1(0 o o o
O -r. 1(0 ©*
>n
i
r^ iH
^ 1H -^
r*
M * •« V
e* C rH >«
§
^
^
•» CO '^ o o
«0 "<»• TH
Vp 00 ic o>
CO to t «
of
in
.9
ti
▼^ «" CTi
(N
g
O 9» O 6
o
o to o o o
o o o «
^
4)
■».
M
3*0 O O
o
o <o e» >o o
r- »n lO N
•S
«T
r*
»-l T^
i-« rH
•s
CijO O 9) t4
o
UO
s o o <N ^•
t-l th o o
a
1
1
9
<o 00 »n '!•
«* <0 if5 ift
i
•
■2
(A
-O «, 1 1 1
Tf S »o o a
13 ' ' '
<S . 1 ,
< 1 1 1
• • • .
■r-4 1 ,H
10
H
©J '^. 2 O Q
-t 110 . O CO
CO Tl 1-* CO -H
lf5 '10 — 1^
*
o
X u
w
^1
A,
M
r
■""^
a- T- >n ^
o. t- >o >r
t. V <o 1^0
CO Oi N GO
<o
<M •< CO 0> <0
t^ 1.0 ^ TH
■
55
o *.■
2-f
K
CO C 0» CO tH
Tf ro (O CO 'O 1
®J d CO »C Q 1
-J CO TH to CO 1
a> iC Q t^
Tf C^t*
<
M
s^
CO ,H »-< '
C8 i£
■ei
o o o o ■
o "
"o ^o"o d o
c c o o
«o
<* (^ « 1
V4
o lo o o
o
Ci lO 3^ "0 O
O "'. ^ >r>
tH
U
•5 o
3
O -0 CO CO
^
t
(M uo •<}• oo <r>
r<* CO -< o
tH
>
<*1
.'O N -f ec
o
•O "O CO CO CO
CO so O {-
o5
^ 3J -< 0-^ -N 1
f>r ifj rf
O. C7>
>q_ 0> 1*5 Tt
TH
<d
H
- w^
^
c^ i
o.S
O
-a o Oi o o
c
o <o o o o
o o o to
^4
. o
•J2 ^
erf
«o
»» O O o
o
o <o <N .c o
O ITS 1ft ^,
^ tH
O K
3 ~
4-
S
O C ©1 ^
o
K O O W N . .
T< tH O O
a.
if.
rt • . •
E
-o . . ,
^ CO • ' 1
• < • I
• •II
1 > ■ •
■2
• I 1 >
«0
;«
■^ U
3
ot 00 ■* o>
^^
t «^ -< " c
•-0 O -f t* Tf
g N. Ol Tj.
9.Tf <0»0
O'
N. CO 'O CO
-?»
?^ »< CO r^
vH
to S+ "^ -^ T-"
th t* <0 -f
0^
»1S
«-•
OI
o
<
CO -*
1)
•*
c; CO
§;i: 1
/
. ,-,^
V
X
^*^
00 c »* o>
Tf
■O '*< Tf M O
CO N. C^ Tf
Q
H £
*>. « ir. CO
CO
'O T- O, Is o
0» Tf to lO
'I 0* CO »^
<N
— '* 'O *>. o
C t- tOTj.
00 s^
2
03 '
"^ TH rl Q
^^
w
c
o
—
•«-> CO
CX3
c/> 1
1 1 • 1
Ci
C (H
w !
1
{ 1 I 1 1
S 5
I— t
1
1
1 1
1 1
* ■ 1 1
,c
• 1 1 1 1
lilt
>
a;
"33
Si
O
1—1
' 1 1 1 c^ 1
* 1 r^ 1 V 1 1
'5
o
Q ■
•c ■
1
t
1 1 1 1
till
. , 1 «
' » « u
1 .:<: ^ S
o
^ ■« •!•• ■
" 1 II
■r. m
out?.
a
4-'
a
<
1
1) 1 _ 1 I— 1 1 ■>
e • 1 • ''- ■ "^
-S! C C9 5 nJ 5 n
O C^ '=5 c/: J> V} c/
SSS? S3'*
e fc J* N * « «!
. -a u _ ' ' '
-Q^^ (ft ST ai ^--^i:
) ^, ^ "O * S. c u.-:
! -5 :§ i rt J £i IS S
' (1, <1 K H^ K H V3 If
i
1
*
"> 1 ■ 3
.S- 3 ® S
£«2>2
it
>
W
APPENDIX.
305
9> <N
©
o
3 O <0
iC iC N
i-t
T^ O ©
>f> ". r-
iQ *^ f^ .
o
o
•4
•2 ©
!8
55
1,301
771
c © o
vo
> ir. ift If;
4 »H.1-I
" <n ■r^ o
5 50 © t-
■1
o
3 © O <0
^^
> in »fl <y>
■< .H o o
■ • 1 •
©
©
IN
O
®4
CI
t«. o "*
»» c\
rf<
1 ■# <o
lO
4
'■O
'■O
o
1.4 on
»• >" y
-a: -^ a.
ec CO i^
4>
C „
O *n ^
• Sob
23
en
B
'7iiONiJ0<OiC©'O>»'N©'OC>O)iJ«©©©
»^ ^-< »-< 1-i f-^ ^4 ^H
»>.©>-ti'0©©»<"fi»»>f5©Tf<0 7»'0 0©0
©vo-'— 'O ir't-rjooc coe^rH
*» '^o t» t^ 'o 3. ■^ ^ Ti eo
M
© f '.0
— 01
vo<«Owo::. ©c 30©ccc. 'O
K X JN. 3^ 'O >0 c '-O ■>> ^ iC 'O h. rH lO
OC ©C©©»H©©C ©©©©©
c
^
*^
^
■,.^
o
Q'
a»
CT>
In
fv.
"f
A
^
-N
/"
CO -^ •'■ 0-.
a^ iC rf vo
lO Ti 'O »-(
CO
«■(
-< fH ~ .;•■'' G. r^ — 0» 'O
■n lo •>! -ii CO -< »i *^ -c '-o
K — 1 .C M" lO »o Oj^ I I ?»
C N o" 5^ Ot 11
T-< CO CO I
0<0<00©©0©C*©0©0^
c 3^ «■! Tf CO »r ©■»)<-)«■<?< 'O c 'O "^
»}< © c^. t^ CO 'fj t» c-i c^i K f>. -}< T-i »f
-t <a 'C 00 «>.'-' t» c "o 'O CO »o r>. f -
t>^ 0-) t-^ -^ G^ rii^ a, c^ o ©_^ -n o» -*
^ <£ a -^ r^ •' .r' CO ^r •i' ri~
•-0V0'-0©CCO ^©©0©03^
t> 0^ N ©< 'o »r; c lo I'* •* 'O 1(0 t^ -H I
00©©©0t-©©0©OC0 i
c-
c o
OOOOO0C0O30
01
©
00
'lO *^
CO C-.
Iff C>J
tCi —
C* CC CO K »» CN '-O CO 'O -O O)
t^ f^ 'O f-. CO 3^ OS 00 T^ © ^
00 ic CO cr. ©^ -o o^ (> o ?< 00
•* ^O 00 'O ^ 'C -n T-i" 'O
3
o
CJ ^
3
1-.0' 'i:*-'? an CO
-^4:. y. '■■ 9 '■i -^ J£ :i"o 'i'^"^ ^ 'A
^
c
o
5
9
^.
J3
o
a
o
u
a
o
' .8
'!,
^
i
^>
, (
■i
M 1'
'1
J
l>
i
306
APPENDIX.
, [I
w
n
T3
TO
'6546 64i 4 544 " S 1
vo
©vn'oo^ooo 0000 ^. 1
M
tH T< Ti It T^ *M 1
•
^ 1
V
03
'J) 6. M »
to T- ■*
t
T- © >«
CO 'O t-
^ 1
,1^
ei
»^ vo 'O a.
r-l to ©
rf co" »r t-
•0 e*
1
;2^
Ti
CO
Oi -.0 CO
CO fH
Ci
<0 0^ IJJ ^ • 0^ ' • • • n
CO
•««
o
1
<o©o<o©'oo oca>e»
..a
1
NiCNt^. ^ n if> © coo CO
1
Cv*»rH© 0©© ,rt<,«00 if|0
'C
1
CO _2
*..
<n ■
Oh
1
»i i> -/; Ji;
1 1 •
-fl
til
1; 1
4-*
1
1
iill
CT> « CO
000
1 I <
,0
- do
lbs
10 do
1
3
*
CO «-. o< 7» . 1 G-i »^ 2 -f 1
1
■
-J- '/^ o> CT> £0 liO *^ c 00 I
^. uj to eo <o 'x> 00 ^. <^i <o >» "I 1
rt,-rtTHi-(coc» -f'jjco'-' 00 1
OS*;
tH
TH rf< GO 'O rM (S.J r-. ** 0» »1< •!» 1
a»
t^ to Oi »^ w
»^ t^ ■^ TH TH 1
^<J^
In*
■J» 'C VO .^
•0 CO ©♦I
Hi
s
'f THrH
1
(M
1
OC. oaCOVO'OOO CMt^'I^Js. CO 1
1
<0 -H !M ->» tH 'O (7) CO t^ CM ■Tti ■-+■ m
o
CO »q oil 0^ CO <0
a^ Hj" TH lo ■
CO
1
G< 'O » TjT
a? CO 1
yH
'
f.. rH »-• rH
1
1
1
■c
"m'
CCOOOOO ooco 1
7-*
©"O'rO'fi CNOiO ,0.0©0 <£> 1
flj "■
rH
T-1 tH iH ri
TH
1
3
^O
© C~. 01 fH TH 00 11^
■*
•t IC ©»
1
•
"rt
00
Tf< Q^ CO c^* 'to tj a>
cr>
»J t^ <o
^0 1
0^
'^^
CO
CO t~ a. CO ■* <o
^ -+■ rt Oj TH
"i* CO
0«
'Z- 1
CO "M CO
13
Tf
a
•
u
^OO'O 0^0 COiHft
• r-t
<Ji
N'CNN ri^CO'O © 0©0 09
<"^
oT
T^
o
o
u
CeJrHO.OOO .f.COO© ..iC
ils.at
Is.
tts.
1 1 ►
' " 1
"5
i
0^
.S
T3 TS T3
C3
-a:5 "O
S 1
cOt-Oth '•• -" '©• ' -^ 1
•
Oa>'Ocnco-*T< o> oO Ni 1
o
<odr?to" -1*^.^. »-. c6~®, «Tl 1
o*
0. th d*
CO CO c
>■> TH CO TH !>< CO ■
•*« t
3« CO "O Th
h <0 tH tH TH 3^ 1
3 3 4J
^
OJ t^ to 'C C» <0 <0 th tH 1 CO 1
'A UFXH
CO
TfCOOOTHTH (JJtH 1 I
ISJ
«s
.^ n .% I ■
n
'j^
O^THOJ 1 1
03~iC. THCO-t-T-. OJOOTfCO *^ 1
CO^'fJCJl'DtOCO COCt-th t^ 1
Cr. S'. <X3 TH TH t^ Ix.
i> CO rH 1 C^j 1
1 -. ■
to '^ 'O IC 04 ^(
TH 1^1
<y> Tt ^i
' 1
»-4
1
Bushels
Barrels
Cwts.
Bushels
c.
• Tierces
Barrels
Tierces
Barrels
Firkins
nd Kegs
Cwts.
.•A
r-t
;q
^
'^
' ' « X '
w
to
d 1 1 1 ' 1
1
' ' -^ <* •
^ 1 1 1 • .
•v . . , ,
Barrc
DFL
P^
C^
rx: 1
. '
' ' > '/T, >
' • . < 1
' • 1 "V. 1
r/)
r*. ^^ 1
f^
-1
a E •
AllTlC
Wheat
F"lour
Biscuit
Peas -
Beans
Barley
Indian
Pork -
Beef -
Butter
Lard -
Ilenip
Flax -
> r> u '^ .r 1.
•
^ 2 ^ :i d ?* ■ ;.: 1
1
oHa-;ui;Kj ■
1
< E, .. tn r B. ■
L
■
II
9
oo
0«
o
o o
T! 00
»
* "*■
5 ^
CO
D O
= . . -^
ri
r^
CO
1
TH
o
o
l-l
o o
o o
o ^
2 o
CO <o
o 00
e<3 •*
-lift
o
o
fi9
(/I
3
C
O
o o
in o
J?
CO
o
o
fc
(13
o o
o o
tfl
2-5
05 "^^ tJ
■-0
00
o
0%
o
APPENDIX.
307
"5^
o o
©» o .
C O
O
o
o
c
o
CO
»
If?
'*
•^^
1
1
4>
■-«•
o
O
rH
CO
u
r*
3
a
rt
>■
tn
b-
rt
O
^rf
C^
O
r^
o
o
N
Oi to
2
to "!(<
O)
oo ^
CO
^ »-
CO
"-I t-»
-*
«M
^-*
to
CO
00
«?
c c
o o
<o c
CO
o
'O
X3
3
O
0)
a
B
o
(0
4^
o
ii
3
T3
•*
o
1)
"(3
en
tr
an
CI
©
o
CO
«^
•^^
1
X
u
t<-l
<o
o
00
u
T-<
c
rt
>
:3
4^
Pu
O
H
® 8
<«. 3
O X)
" £:
c
o o
6*2
i 3
1
o
"O
50,994
16,998
■o
CO
CO
«1
O u
C !»! = i<
u
I— «
o
t— 1
(>4
S i i
a O (J T. M 35
o
c
o
H
o
en
M
U
P
Q
C
e
O
: «
. a
> <o
I ^
^ -3
SO -J
3 ,:<
u. ^
I u
, ^
I iT
m
4= Q.
;= ^
en —
a
h;c«
a.) 3 5 3 ."^
C c« io c« O
-o
E
1^
«
o
w
3
U
i-2
<u
0- -C
O
e— 3
o -o
5 o
a
3
o
a
lU
J3
cts
3
O"
tJ
•*-> 3
.2 O
Ml —
5 «
- " «
o t> J5
■o ■*
•- d «
<n cd 'b
Ji -3 2
O ■" (0
■5o-
n e
ii « ^
•n TJ o
O O (X
, O 3
<«; ao
O . CO
o£ §
o ~ -s
•s. — CO
^•' o >
'V 1.4
Ck£ en
c 5 3
X 3
o «
JO -3 c
2 "*
3 J3 "3
■"■ J= 4»
CO — w
ta - «
^-^^
o S'
o . S
^ -n 3
«>
3
•a
-5»
S "B
— u
■- t, V.
^ 4) O
^■5 S
.3 5!'^
-o -O
J; 1" "J
O If
b«« C ^
£ n «
CTl in «
• 3 CT, aj
u o _
t: o "5
3 ^ -O
O 03 U
'-' S
-= 3 '«
a - t;
I
o
CO
<u w
ID «*<
JS V
*f 60
° §
6D*'
.s -
5 **
3 -^i
o
— "3 r* jj *
-o
o
c
-I :^ V
U 3 ^"
- 9 >
- '0 t-
- CO ^
- ;•
¥r -O
*— 1 ij
^ a,
•3 '^
U V
2 5
O u
y^ GO
Si' 2
s -^
3 en
II
- (^
>-> O
Ul Cf»
o d
V o
•1 '^
0/ w
tjf; X
a; 2 «
"H -r^ ■^
3^.3
\;,
•J
'1
■ii I
It
t M
I
M
>}■
X 2
I
308
ATPRNDIX.
"1
4
i
i
II" ; ■
i J. ; I,-., is
'■f\U'M
J.-".r,h
OBSERVATIONS.
Thorc apprars lo have boen I0,<)!)r> fens of goods, bosidos
hiiabor, ^'xportod iVoin Qiirbrr in UMUl; iiik', oonsideriiigthat
ships ji;»>n<'rally rairv about a ion and a half nieasurement-
Uoods, per Ion n-gislcr nuasiufment, 7,1JJ4 tons register
uere ihtircforc <(|ual to have ranied these articles ; and,
therefore, of the :}:},!)!)<> re<,i^ter tirn;, cleared ont from this
port, there must have remained 2G,B02 for lumber, as stated
in the table.
Reckoning a ton register capable of carrying 1 ' load,
(equal to 1^ ton of 40 cubic feet,) it appears that the (juan-
tity of lumber exported from Quebec, in 180(>, must have
been about 32,2;M loads; being 40,293 tons of 40 cubic
feet, as in the table.
It appinirs, also, that the quantity of all kinds of goods,
besides lumber, exported from Quebec, in lUlO, was about
15,549 tons ; and, considering that 10,300 register tons is
e«|ual to have carried these goods, and that, in that year,
there were 143,893 tons register-measurement cleared out
from this port, 133 ^^27 must have been used in the carriage
of lund)er, and consequently must have transported about
160,232 loads of that article ; being equal to 200,290 tons
of 40 cubic feel, as in the table.
The inrreasi, therefore, in the exports of lumber from the
Canadas, in the space of these four yoars, was 128,008 loads,
or, 160,001 tons of 40 cubic feet. '
In estimating the (|uantity of lumber exported from the
lower ports of the British provinces, in 1806 and 1810, (as I
am not in possession of the detailed particulars of the ex-
ports made from these j)orts, having only the amount of the
register toimage cleared out,) I shall, therefore, compute the
quantity of lumber exported, by deducting an amount of
tonnage computed to have been used in the exportation of
articles other than lumber, equal to the quantity of tonnage
employed in the carriage of such articles from ihe Cana-
das, deducting, over-and-above that amount, 30,000 register-
tons for the carriage of fish from Newioundland, viz.
Register Ton.
Cleared out from the lower ports in 1806 - 90,251
Deduct for the carriage of all goods ex-
cept lumber, and fish exported
from Newfoundland - 7,134
for fish from Newfoundland - 30,000* 37,134
Tons 53,117
• See No. 18.
bcsidos
irfineiit-
register
s ; and,
roni I his
as stated
1| load,
he (juan-
mst have
40 cubic
)f goods,
,vas about
r tons is
liat year,
nired out
e carriage
ted about
290 tons
from the
)08 loads,
Vora the
810, (as I
tlie ex-
ult of the
iipute the
inounl of
tatitm of
tonnage
he Cana-
resjister-
viz.
egjster Ton.
90,251
•37,134
53,117
APPENDIX.
309
Thus it appears, that 53,117 tons legister-moasuronient,
had been used in (he carriage of lu!iib«r, being e^juai to have
carried «3,711 loads.
Cleared out from the lower ports in IHIO - - - - 100,101
Deduct for the carriage of all goods other
than lumber and fish exported from
Newfoundland - . . 10,360
for the carriage of fish from New-
foundland 30,000
40,360
Tons employed in the carriage of timber 125,735
This 125,735 tons, register-measurement, at 1^ load per
tou is equal to have carried 150,882 loads.
The following recapitulatory statement of these remarks,
respecting lumber, exhibit an interesting view of the exports
of that article from the British American provinces, viz..
Exports in 1800. 1810.
J.oiids. iMuds.
From the Canadas - 32,234 100,232
From the lower provinces, &c. - - - - 03,741 150,882
Loads 95,975 311,111
Lonrlx.
Exports in 1810 311,114
Ditto in 1800 - 95,975
Increase in these four years 215,139 loads.
OAK TIMBER.
The quantity of oak tind>er exported from Quebec, in
1806, reckoning each piece 33| cubic feet, was 5,540 loads,
and, in 1810, 22,520; the increase in these four years being
17,080 loads.
GRAIN.
The average quantity of wheat annually exported from
Quebec, for eight years, ending 1810, (Hour and biscuit reck-
oned into wheat and included), was 304,000 bushels: and, of
other grain 20,483, making the gross exports of grain
330,483 bushels. It may be remarked, however, that the
exports in 1801 were upwards of r,000,000 bushels.
it
V
I
i;
■I'
i
'I
I! I f
ir
h'J
310
APPENDIX.
11.(1.
Value op the Exports from the whole op British
North America, for five Years, ending in 1810.
The value of exports from the Lower Provinces cunnot be
so precisely ascertained as the value of those made from the
Canadas. The exports from the Upper Provinces, beinjG; all,
(except tiie small quantities exported from Gasp^ and St.
Johns,) cleared out at the Custom-House of Quebec, ren-
ders their value easily ascertained.
In the absence, however, of othcial documents respecting
particular details of the exports from the lower ports, as we
have an official statement of the tonnage of the shipping
cleared r>ut from t-hese, wc may from that circumstance form
a tolerably correct estimate of tlu value of the goods ex-
ported. As this amount of tonnage, after making a deduc-
tion for the carriage of cod-fish from Newfoundland, con-
siderably exceeds the tonnage cleared out from Quebec, it
cannot be doubted that the value of the exports from these
ports must liuve also exceeded the value of the exports
made from Quebec, particularly as I have included the
226,603 cwt. of fish, exported from Nova Scotia, New
Brunswick, and Cape Breton : — In forming the following es-
timate of the value, however, I shall only state them at an
equal amount.
Value exported from Quebec in 1806 - - - ot'551,570
Ditto from the Lower Ports, in the same year,
estimated at---------- 551,570
Value of the Cod-fish exported from Newfound-
land 354,448*
Total value of exports from British North Ame-
rica in 1806 c£l,457,588t
"I Hi I
Value exported from Quebec In 1807 - - - - 681,740
Ditto from the Lower Ports, in ti:e same year,
estimated at 681,740
Value of cod-fish exported from tlie Lower Ports,
estimated at 354,448*
Total value of exports from British North Ame-
rica in 1807 o£'l,717,928t
* The exports of cod-fish Irom Newlouridland, upon au l • ,,e of
the four years, ending 1808, was 590,748 cwt. which, at 12«. pCi cv/t.
amounts to ^354,448.
t These are exclusive of the exports to the United States by way of
St. John's, and also of those made from Gasp6.
British
1810.
annot be
from the
[)einK all,
; and St.
iec, ren-
especting
ts, as we
shipping
mce form
[oods ex-
a deduc-
ed, con-
uebec, it
rom these
e exports
uded the
)tia, New
owing es-
eni at an
551,570
551,570
554,448*
457,588t
681,740
681,740
354,448*
717,928t
.>'.-r;^;e of
pe» crt.
by way of
APPENDIX.
nil
Value exported from Quebec in IHOR - - -^1,000,000
Ditto from the Lower Ports, in the s:ime year,
estimated at 1,(>00,(KK>
Value of co<l fish exported from the Lower
Ports, estimated at rt54.44R*
Total value of exports from British North Arae-
rica in 1808 0^2,354,4481
Value exported from Quebec in 1800 - - - l,112,r)(}8
Ditto from the Lower Ports, in the same year,
estimated at l,112,r»C8
Value of cod-Hsh exported from the Lower
Ports, estimated at 354,448*
Total value of exports from British North Ame-
rica in 1809 .£2,579,7841
Value exported from Quebec in 1810 - - - 1,078,048
Ditto from the Lower Ports, in tJie same year,
estimated at 1,078,048
Value of cod-fish exported from the Lower
Ports, estimated at 354,448*
Total value exported from British North Ame-
rica in 1810 £2,510,5441
Imports of British and Colonial Produce and Ma-
nufactures INTO OUR North-American Colonies,
for the Domestic Consumption of these Settle-
ments, FOR five Years, ending in 18 JO.
Respecting the Lmports of British and colonial pro-
duce and manufactures made into our American Provinces,
it may be observed that, although I have not been able to ob-
Ibid.
t Ibid.
^:, 1
•I
^1
%
t
■I
\
'
,(
ill
'i'l
312
APPENDIX.
(.
( *
t
tain official documents, by which iheir precise value could be
ascertained, yet, nevertheless, a very correct computation
of their amount may be made, by taking the value of the
exports from these settlements, ;is a criterion.
In reference to this computation, it may be also observed,
chat it is more than probable, the value of the exports of
these colonies exceeds that of their imports. Otherwise t'i«j
trade of these settlements must have produced eflects very
diflorcnt from what their thrivins; state indicates; it would
have had the same teiulency, as the conduct of an iu<livi-
dual whose expenditure exceeds his income. The large
supplies furnished the Britisii government's establishmenis in
tlu't country, and the exports from Gaspe, however, neither
of which is included in the estimate of the value of exj)orts
stated in No. 2, will constitute an ample allowance for this
economical <litference.
The imports, therefore, of British produce and manufac-
tures, &C. fu rnisliH'' by our own merchants and manufac-
turers, as well as carried by our own ships, may be fairly
estimated at an amount ecjual with the exports, as stated
above, and would therefore stand as follows : —
Value of the British and colonial produce
»nd manufactures imported into our colonies
in North America for the consumption of
tliese settlements only - in 1806 - 0^1,457,588
in 1807 - 1,717,928
in 1808 - 2,354,448
in 1809 - 2,579,748
in 1810 - 2,510,544
Respecting these imports, it is also of importance to ob-
serve, that since the restrictions iujposed, by the American
jjovernmeiit, upon our commerce with that country, there
has been upwards of ci-'a, 000,000 of our manufactures annu-
ally imported into the British American colonies, for the
United-States market. The vross auumut of the imports
of Br'tish manutlutiues, tVc. into these provinces since that
period would thorelbre stand thus : —
In 180B, lor the consumption of these pro-
vinces ----- £2,354,448
Ditto, for the United-States nuuket, about - 3,000,000
Total amount of imports of Bwtish manufac-
tures, t^rc. made into our American pro-
vinces in 1808 - -
o£'5,354,443
F;
could be
npulation
ue of the
observed,
exports of
eruise t'le
fects very
; it would
an indivi-
rhe large
shnienis in
?r, neither
of exj)orts
ice for this
I nianufac-
I manufac-
ly be fairly
, as stated
fl,457,588
1,717,928
2,354,448
2,579,748
2,510,544
ance to ob-
^ American
ntry, there
ures a:nnu-
for the
le imports
since that
2,354,448
3,000,000
),354,448
APPENDIX. 313
In 1809, for the consumj>tion of these pro-
visos .-.---.-. 2,579,748
Ditto, for the Uuited-Sliitcs market, about - 3,000,000
Total amount of imports of Britisli manufac-
tures, \c. made into our American pro-
vinces in 1809 • 0^5,579,748
In 1810, for the consumption of these pro-
vinces --- 2,r7iO,544
Ditto, for the United-Slates market, about - ?,000,000
Total amount of imports of British manufac-
tures, &c. made into our American pro-
vinces in 1810 £5,510,544
Value of the Imports made into Great Britain
FROM British North America, for five Years,
ENDING IN liJlO.
A very correct slattment of the value of the imports
from our Aineriian colouies may be made hy adding the
amount of I he fiiciihis and oilier charj;es to the invoice
value ol the goods, as follows : —
To invoice value, or amount of the exports
from British North America in 1806 - -£1,457,588
To freight, 124,247 register tons, at
.i 8 each - 992,976
To sundry other charges,* atofl per
ton '-----.-.- 124,247
1,117,223
Total value of our imports from British Ame-
rica in 1806 X2,574,811
• I'reiiiiuiu of insurance, comnyssions, warchyuse and other rents and
churj^cs.
u
: I,
!
,(<
1
i 1
It 11
A^
1
314
APPENDIX.
! :i
?:'
if k
4 '
■■'
i)
i<
To invoice valiw, or ainoiiiit of thr exports
from British North Anurica in 1007 - - l,717,rv?8
To freight, 12J>,84G rogistcr tons, at
£l\c ch - 1,03}^7(J8
To sun ly other charges, ato£l per
Ion ----- 129,840
1,168,014
Total value of our imports from British Nortfi
America in 1807 - - - o£'2,880,542
To invoice value, or amount of the exports
from British. North America in 1808 - - 2,354,448
To freight, 189,573 register tons, at
^8 each ------- 1,510,584
To sundry other charges, at £l per
ton - _ - - 189,573
1,700,157
Total value of our imports from British North
America in 1808 - - ^^4,000,005
To invoice value, or amount of the exports
from British N(»rth Anierica in 1809 - - 2,579,748
To freight, 230,504 register tons, at
ci8each - - 1,892,512
To sundry other charges, atc£l per
ton - 230,504
2,129,070
Total value of our imports from British North
America in 1809 - - - ef 4,708,824
To invoice value, or amount of the exports
from British North America in 1810 - - - 2,510,544
To freigiits, 309,994 register tons,
at /8 each ------ 2,479,952
To sundry other charges, at £l per
ton _ _ . - 309,994
2,789,946
Total value of our imports from British North
America in 1810 .£5,300,490
APPENDIX.
315
:i 4 \
A considorable proportion of the cod-fisli, and a small pari
of the other articles exported from these colonies, being
shipped to our West-Indian settlements and foreign coun-
tries, no doubt, make some small diminution of the value of
our imports from these possestions, as stated above. The
amount, however, of this diminution is not very consider-
able ; and, indeed, upon taking a minute view of the sub-
ject, these will hardly appear to be such in reality. For
these in«lirect shipments, being carried by British ships, and
the business transacted by British merchants, they are there-
fore generally drawn for on Great Britain, and consequently
the gross proceeds of the sales remitted also to this coun-
try ; and such of those remittances as are from foreign coun-
tries are generally made in foreign produce, which other-
wise most probably would not have been imported. The
freight, profit, &c. of these are therefore as net a gain to
the British merchant ; and, of course, the transaction as
advantageous to the nation in general as if the fish, flour,
&c. had been brought to Great Britain and re-exported.
Yea, under certain circumstances, it is infinitely more advan-
tageous to both ; for, had the goods been brought to Great
Britain, perhaps, from the accumulated expense, no profit
might have resulted to the merchant, and consequently the
public could have derived no permanent advantage from such
a trade as, under these circumstances, it would of necessity
have been relinquished. — See note to Nc>. 17.
, ' ^
(i
i
I; ]
'J
i^*
1
1| I
I!-,
.'i,
nm
Al'lM'NPlX.
. i
:»
-.1
'!
. I'
^4
_, 1
**9
HM-tri
r- O
4-*
O fee
C3
1— <
^1
c o
o o
o o
c o
C
"•-"'' -—■-•■- --
-^ c c» o o 0. CO . o a»
c
■:: C
h"^
K\\ !.» d;
tH
rt
tri-
;/;
•*
-1 o
■11 r-l
tH O
VH O
C'
c c
U)
.. '^ o
x
S
T 3
— y
o
"^
o o o o
o o
o o
•*!
. , f 1)
-tj <o ai f o CO O K 04
w
. "^ ""^
1 ' " •
c
b
tZ 4->
^i y. ^
•4
iIO o
in o
-«. O
o o
* .-3 •
' ^ L*
r-l
_c
G -C C
*«
1 ,^i
t.
S^ C-— (C'-< O--* i-ith
c
M
-V . '
Tj >43 'c c. -f- -f c 'o 'o '*< <?. a> o
o »- -
S .. "'
-; »H r- c '.') ''.'> a> »-<»-< oi cc 03 o
-c
^■S^
^"^ ^-i
"*]! oo — ooc ocrH oo^
<
P -4 -
„ ^ - . — . ^. .. ^ - --. k^.^ ,_.. - .» ^- .^ _, . — -
c; -^ —
—_-. --
'-■ "' ■•———— —
•■' a —
C
^-7 S
1 t:^'
e-^ . . . .
. 3 ' • ' '
■^ " 1 , . .
6 e ■■'
1 -u ,«
6
o w -
1 — y
: 213
c
■o -
6
o
c
c 1
-a c: •5_
jO .11'
,_ , . 1 •
^ • ' ■ '
I/) ,
' .9 o-
l-r ~
ITJ ■ 1 1 1
< 1 1 1 >
' i .:.'!
P
^ . , . ■
3 11,1
. Hr.;5
1 <U
-:>: ^ ^
I, ....
rH
' ."-^
5
3 "^ 5
o , . . ,
1 'C
1 'i>
o
N
-^ c =
C, 1 1 1 1
' CJ
1 k-
1 '^
^
1 ^ <
• ')
ji ' '
•Z-t 'f^
• ^ m
<
S 5 ^
1 : : : ;
1 i) m
>
J ;; ■ ■
1 ^ 1/)
1 t/'J
r^ ''II
' 1 ' '
.- CJ o ^
! '^ 'c 5^ '^ '3 <
•4) ,~ Q. . , -
. ^ t— ' O V) 1— ' C
I)
s
;^
^ 2
U III
' y ^, •- "O ^, '^
C
- j; w-0
"C ^ —
S U I 1 <
O O 3 o o
c
w
a:
X - c
^ s £ 1
-5 TT i «.; S
' -s <^
60
c
^ k
a
— ,^
*
P
► ^
* ^
i iJ^II-
,
c
^ . --■
^ ■-. -" -n: ij 3 i>
.2
a:
^1
-3
'-I »^
C S p w'M
'ji
o
►"
*"** * Zm "*"
1 c c c ''•'
J=
H
"" t- —,
G
o
5j
c
Ui
5i
3.
o.
rH
.1*2'
a.
^
1
k^
•~ 1 . «
r/'
^^ *" *»•
o
03
■
< 1
Uri
*6 \ \f. i \
^
r ■
i..
1 i
■k ■■■■■■i
,nT
fr:'
r- O
tH o
o o
o o
0> CO
O a.
-H O
y O
c o
o o
— - ■— —
f.'^ o
K a>
•*< o
o o
O r^
i-c »H
1-4 r^
' C r-t O O >H
O O -C .'V c o
-o -a M " n r)
6
o
5 ^-
1)
•- T3
6 e a.
o 3
a
a
nJ
l«
l-J o
■zw
E S
o o
fl
s
03
'ft
o
'O
CO
'O
o
o
o
<5(
.-4
o
♦f 'O
o o
»fi ■* •£) 'O O O O O 'O
00 CO © © riJ tl iH rH ',0
ooocooooc
3 Xl O
-c — -C
o
O'
li-
03
6
i^
O •-• O *
'■J
c
o
O
o
J!
APPENDIX.
CO t^ n
<y
_e3 *^ *^ d f' - *•*
•- -^-ii .*i - i 3
i' • ?: • :; >-< I- '/; a
CI
CI
r3
c: 2 5
a; =r a
3.2 o
5 O' u
^ a
.2 ^
-*— ' '— '
a
V
— /■;
I ~
3 ^f
1-
h
93 k^
■/J 3
■ a,
ii a
•3 o
p..^ s ''• ^ - i s
.c .= J? •? = 3 .S ,c:
.1; LJ a., i <5 2 ■" ■"
■^ '^ ^■■. '5 — ■/■' '-
fC ^ .£ '^ ^ -c d
o
o
c
c
O C I* ■- —
*^ *"■ "^ -■ j;
s s ~
u
.a
2 r:
.-3 ■»-'
-i .J
. 3
2 i
^^
-rj
'/J ^
0./ =
G "^ 2
*< a ■I'
CI.-S a
O O o
a * o
W-r *'
— •- rj
c -> i,
73 ^ r
■/■ «(
■/' ^ r«
+- i; 1*
CC •"* T*
"^■^ !
I—' __• "^
r 5 "^ •*-
-0 =
5 -i 5 '^
~-'^. " '6
■- r ^ s
a.
■73
a
tr t-i « '*^
'-'^ — **" "^ Z^
^^ =^
317
^ C ^ V
*- S -ri Cu
./, O I' .
3 br 7^ o
K E ^ "^
r* 9 ~ •^
I ^ - a
-s -r '' .1,
** 0./ It, j_i
H-' — *- ^
^ U) o 3
.2 js ^''
iS 7S
2i ^ = -
a -— 73 o-
Q; a 3
*" « ^- -
■A, i^ ■ - a
> a- 3^ _ -^
'/- ■:5 i 'i! ^
i2 c V . a
f/, -r >- "« o
15
'~. ^ aj - ' ^
y a .Si ^ I-
4- = z «5 ;
= i i c =i
^. -^ : i ! I
■J '■' v»
t», n *
•M .c; °
r, f a
'i!' I 3
x: --•■ V
^' O TJ ^
,c ,. -^ n
^ll V ra o
X) •-• . ■■*
2 .3 ^ f-
=^ r. ?^ 2
►'"?'?
;^ 3 ^ t,()
-o -J • V
•3 .--: :^ x:
o ? ^ •-•
* l-^ £^
:^ 5-5 3
^ Xi — f^
^ ? <^ Ji
•<3 I- ^
"2 1; ^ -p
•- -J ™ .K
:« ^ ••-!:;
I- ■•. J= «
i " "^ i=
" -'^ *-* If
— '3 ;.. .
cj J3 ^' >.
■^ U C tl
-t; K o c"-
-, '-* ci
S - s 2
■: >.§■-
X 5 ~
Ji ^ > »
o ^ *"
= 013
rt '•'
= = ^
: o 2
i
3 H -
^ i tr^ -
-J — ^ _3 - «
£, - ^5 I-/ 3 —
.^ _a 5^ a' - o 'f = *^-a
*- L> -^ ■ Z^ '*^ 3 Ll- — <-• ^
: f
I-
.,11
!!!,
'. ■
138
APPENDIX.
i
I,
■!:■
■M j;
U 1^
^
J3
g
m
o
s
o
ns
a;
at
u
x
UD
•SJ
s
C C
is aj
^ ■-
1 ■*-'
en
s
o
c
H
o
a
CO
^a
•«
O C5 O O O O O
■},),■) ^ ^ifinD Of JO 'UO)
v»
Vi O O 3 •^' CO O
51
,iad iC4ii(j^ aui|iBAja4imo3
V ^
**»
'O W « <0 3< O »^
-c a
- o
nto
ecti
O 6C
t s
•
o o o o a> o o
1 — *j
"*
>>
T3 J3
U E
«
c
•
to
•O O O O » CO o
iia.
d^
o
o -J
impor
r the
2 .fl
■^
I CS 10 'O C^ Ol 'O
1 D CO CO ^O -H ,4
'-
■.a
o iS
£-3
^
= £
"!3
o o o o c c o
V
_ ca .
;i-^
" :5
o<-/5 S.
•0
© C C © -J* © o
ipal Art
y charg
T3 "
3
q
linpor
! United
j Sh
■^
<N O O O •p^ 0^ 'fS
^0 CO c: vo »H T-»
V V
y ■=
1)
"^
©©CO o
■ga
ts O CJ
•spoor) JO pui^f
to
© © © © 1 1 o
^W>
■c-= c
q.iGajo iioj^ V. JO
^.s
4ju3
aniBApaiBHinsg
S!
c © o o ' ' o
-—
c o o o o
upon
itervai
'on.
""
lO CO CO ^ r<
00 Q. >
•sdiqc; i|snu^f
•
K+t w|c>_i,CO m|M
CO T-i th 'o 5( a> <o
i>0 a.
" S ^ c
tir paiJodnij
-^ i-t rH —( T-l tH
•sdiqs
MtN
pril, 1
at the
nts to
■f.su a
sams P'^M'iQ
CN © © 'O ©) O i-O
tH TI i-i T-( OS r^
■^
UI pavioHiuj
T-»
,
1 . ^ o
1 "-4-1 "^ (-
2
e, after the 1st o
n ; shewing also
rican Shipping aii
1.
-c
s of coa
or linen i
ils, and v
n, and pe
J 3 •
5- Ol ,
^ = ' ' - a.
ayabi
Britai
A me
o
m
o
u
, u , 2 -5 —
sa. a-
o * , ±» -"^
-^ "ti -a
u
O , ' TS M r.
D 4; ^^
-a
red g
or ol
es rea
ss, loc
f iron
3 rh ®
%
1 ■*
Q -
jx
5 ^ . ^ -a =>
of the J
es from
ragemen
o
to
w
d, or cole
or of bot
ealue -
, and clot
ttel, or bi
ACTURES
1 i
A List
Stat
COU
N
H
staine
linen,
chief
Cloths
Iron, s
Manuf
\:»il^
, M to
■2 2
J o ►f
;(J0
o o o o o
O O ^' 00 O
« to 3< O »^
o o o> o o
O O so 00 o
fjfj <o d o> 'O
60 lO •I t^
I c c c c o
; C O -J* O O
O (O 1*3 O O
o o
© 6- ^O »C ■*
1H
o o
CO O -fS ©» o
»r c
-. CO
5 O O »-
o> •<*
5 rr, to r-
T-l
5 C O
o
5 O O
o
5 O O
o
5 O O
o
CO ■*
T^
_
Witt,
1,03 wW
-1 T-t 'O <j
( a> lo ■
■( rH 1-1
r1 tH
; o -n c
^> o ^
-» ri iH
CO T*
yl
' U,
. 1
1 0* aJ
a % '
,<-)>-
- o ,
> 0)
u ;^
1 a.
1) t) •
"^ _r
a. a. .
' S '2
' '. S
, t« .N
' := d
1 03 tT
u
' . Su
' o ?,
' ^ "
t en
., >J S
a .S -
- «'
>%« -s
3 -i< "
" y a
• ! i
' s <«
, ciO
2 -^ w
^ o *
3 i-
' ■ -o
• 1 =*
1/ o
1 *
» [„
1 V ..
2 - D
- z z
50 «
3 S ►J
o <0 (O © ©
O w
c o> <o "^ 'i'
o c
eo a> 'H -^ »»
CO <0 !J«
in ©
© o © © ©
© ©
© lO i/J o ©
© ©
© CO <o 3^ e<
CO 'C a*
^8
rH CO
© © © ©
o o © ©
© © © c
ic »o © iC
© ©
© ©
© ©
®» 0> <0 "O M <o ^
e< »-( Ti t-< 0^ 11 th
He*
© N. 1^ UO © l« »ft
0< It »-< T-t ^ rH T^
O
V
M
9)
u
c
S
-o
c
cs
<n
"Ex-
O
(1.1
<>i
.j:
0)
ui
s
,£}
■*-»
11
a.
S
i « --^
g !• i: o
cc ^ '^
, — li.
to -. - H
09 >: '" z
^ >- ■
E
rt
1*
fl
J
<2
i~
0/
Wl
Ci
O '■"
•-2 =^
y = -
■< Zj I-
O U '^ Ph CA Q
c
O
APPENDIX.
CO
u
-a
i-^
^
0)
o
-a
s
o
o
\ .a
— o
So
o -
re re
hi ha
s e
o o
V
<u
-5 2r
"SOU
S I o
© It 'I
M 5 <"
(A ,iQ O
oj re -M
« -^ 'U
1 n 4)
« O ^
•^ «#^ ^^^
•=: ^
tn a *«
c is
S S ®
2 a ^
|< £
o 0) •;=
S *- o
re :a jv
.Si- 3
fa. ■H-
2i— . <y
V en a>
- g q
<u
s-^
c
= a> ^
re •— i^
-a /. rt
a;
- 3
0^
-5 ^ - J C,
o
^ -a ^ -C •■?
a, V
1^
is 5 '-
§f .S-? *^^
*''' ^ "1 " _ -
^ "S c t^~ '^
o S re wi ^- ••
H- 5J C; t^ l/^CCl
4) ^ •;: r-t .S 'sj
=ia
2 a, a -j: "re ^
rt rt •>+- < ^ w
a -M ® '*. a 6p
55 rt J- O "J .S
Z % o
W5 ^
a; ^ a
-^ fi a
-1 ® ►-^
^ a, I
t/) -= .
^ • c/}
re -g .0;
"o 3 "S
■^ -^ "*
« .Si -rt
i ^ a
^ -T-a
.a .M •-
.-a a 'S
re o ^
o =« a
.^.
v
e- o *- — -—
re -' _ ..a a --
a o a.
-J cr a
o o -^
fj <^ •
0; S a
jj 2 1-
.-^ -'J a., o
a tn)*^
2i 's a
2 a ^
ctf T,"-^ a
r ^ r —
a :«" ^"
-a ^ ^
— . rj .^
a sn
2'^
+(1
*-— - a o B.a-~ i. c;.si'r;^*J
fa. a,
c
re
'^ -— -^ /- -' -.
O re-- t 2 O
a. > sfc -^ ^
S- a a; re u-
a k -^ ^ ^ o
CD ~ "3 "^ ' -'
>'*- re.o ij s
re ■"■ a oj .
:/: •- .> a - = a
.-J fa! w.-r c '-^
re
re
319
Si -- o,
b- 3
s * «t
O y w
2 a* w
« " tf»
-, B «*
2 § 4*
cavt w
? ^^
S m C3
O T3 •-
— 03
^ 60 O
o c: °"
•£ <- 2
"« ^ 60
..s ^ —
C k! ^
O - R»
t: s-a
il S ►
•• = J5
2 ■" >»
^ - "•
§ .T i>
>^ §
« tl «
— j: wi
a
a>
a
a.
p o _o
"■ y rt
so
i
i !
, .
o ■■
c
-^ S
a;
;^i^
c*
j2 -
p^
S i
1/
cs —
^
.y <o
O) n^
3 O
O . i
eft -^
■^ -a
S B
o s
c —
V
^ 3
j: Si
y -.a
6r,
o -^ ■
320
APPCNDtX.
ii
'U
i,
''Mi
U' ]
fir
11
( t
';i
'I
.
No. 5.
TiiK Hic.H nnri: or iiniTisn ships, ^r
tiif^lish Hhij), 36'' 'li"is, iului-d
J, U RO, b< ^'Zopfr 'Ion
at
To provisii ■• , vjtber ex-
penses in • '^ oi » '■ r the
voyage, up to the j. ' of
tlie ship sailing, — expenses
at licr io;i(iiiig-piirt in Ame-
rica, — and all charges and
expenses upon her ret\nn,
up to the period of deliver-
ing her cargo, (except pre-
niiiini of insurance ^\\i\ sai-
lors' wages) -----_- 850
To premium of insurance upon
J["12,000, at 6 per cent. - 720
To wages, viz. master ^12;
mate =^6; twelve men at
^5 each ; ihrec men at <^4
each ; oi\e boy at ^ 2 ; and
one at ^1 each per month,
for six months ----.-. 558
To extra expenses incuned by
sailors running away - - 50
To interest of capital, picjlit,
a '.'ompensation formanu^e-
inent, wear-and-tear, ike.
say ^'0 per cent, per ann.
upon the ship valued at
„£'10,080 looa
Cr.
By amount of liei^ht, at
J^7: 7 per ton register, or
^'4 :18 per ton measure-
meiit, (40 cubic i'jcl) - -
Loss-
5186
V 2430
J7rn^
A>nt>i:iiii Ship, .')()() I'oiis, luiicd at
i7,'J00, Ininjr _J_ 'JO pn- Ton.
Dr.
To provisions and expenses in
fitting out for the voyage,
taking in tlu cargo, and all
charges u|) to the period of
the si.ipN sailing, — expenses
at the port of delivery in
Cireat Britain, — and also all
charges and exjwnses which
she nuiy incur, up to the
period of her being safely
moored in tiie .Anu. rican
port where she took in her
cargo, (except preiniuni of
insurance and sailors' wages
To preiuinm of insurance upon
Jt^OOO, at 4 per cent, - -
To sailors' wages, viz. master
J.1Q; UKite ^7; fifteen
men at ^4 each ; and two
men at f'j. 13: 4 each per
njoiiih, for six months - - -
To inleiesf of capital, profit,
acoMi|ionsation for manage-
ment, wcar-and-tear, &c.
?() per cent, jicr am,,
upon the ship valued at
^7200 - . -
850
360
500
720
Cr.
By amount offreight, at
2430
^7 : 7 per ton register
or ^4 : 1 3 |)er ton niea-
suremcnl,(40c
ton niea- i
ubic feet) )
.£2430
N. B. Considering that merchant-sl ips, particularly (jf tlie dimensions
above-mentioned, or uinvards, generally carry not less than a ton and an
half of goods by measure per register ton, this loss of ,^756, which tlie
Hritisli ship incurs is therefore equal to ^2 : 2 per ton, registe- mea-
surement ; — ^1 : 15 per load, of 50 cubic feet ; — or ^1 : 8 per ton of
measurement goods *
* The disproportion between-liritis^h built .ships and ships built in the
Baltic is much more in favour of the ialler,
^.5
J'O
APPENDIX
321
r
! )
n H
322
APPENDIX.
c
o
o
a
3
<^
o
a
M
>
CO
.s
V)
.&*
Is
<
-a
a
a
SB
CA
(4
CQ
W
en
Ji
en
>
4-1
u
V
O.
in
0)
o
e
S
R
<i3
■c
•« C/3
a
M
© o o
CO o
(NO \0
00
Ot t^ S
00 M
o <o
B 2
o
O
O
H
N.
IS
o
O
C4
O O
o
a
o
H
CO
(ji
'■O o
in CO
CO
•n
:-, a> 1-1
oo oo
^o o>
©J (N
r^ ■*
TH
c »
00 t«
w
H
o
M
H
«>
e
o
a
o
> ti
£•■5
m
M
U
>
o
u
.«
I
1-1
M
-a
a
o
H
0)
3
O
l^»4
o
.2 2
£•■5
D 3
^ 3
PhhJ
M
< «
H H
•« I..
o «
i s
£ H
u S
«« £
§ "
£ 5-5
eu.2 -
.5 3
2 £
1)
o o 3
a
o S
^ 2
t/3 >^
V2
en ^
b^
Ts -a
s a
ee a)
I
O
a
3
<«
-9
o
o *'
q 2
^ Q.
™ o ?
,c « s 2 "
4, .«=:.«
-3
4( «
!: "^ i ^-^
i ^ g = '^
"^ *" 2 o -
o <2 5 -2 '=^
a o « u
> s o >
^ en
« «; « -
'S tJC-C
" ^ 5 a.2
o
•> «. "
cs jj S g o
4^ O J= S
a
ca -. « — J.
C ^5 w = -3
(U "-• t '-'
*- 3 U -
Sf; s o -
tr s
— /.
5 «
t ^ >■. i> ■
•^ ^ ^ c .t;
^ 5 l>
•— tr .r o
3 ^•- ^ 3
J I
APPENDIX.
323
No. 7.
Tlie Number of Merchunt Ships, wiUi the Amount of their
Tonnage, annually built in Great Britain, for the lastTwcnty-
Hve Years, with an Estimate of the Quantity of Oak Timber
used in the United Kin^jdom, for Maritime Purposes.
Yeur.
Ships.
1789
on
1790
h77
1791
^"M
179ii;
6M
17 3
(5.5 S*
1794
555
1795
540
1796
6'J8
1797
030
Tomiagf
5B,0'.'7
57,137
58,760
66,9.) I
65,583
55,600
6S,^J35
84,9'J8
78,'J50
Average A- ^
mount ot tuns /
annually built \ 63,38.5
for the 9 vears i
ending 1797. J
Y«ar.
1798
1799
1800
1801
1 8()'2
1H03
1804
1805
Ships.
702
689
mh
918
1,05(1
1,194
778
718
Tonnage
79,872
83,6.)8
1 15,349
110, '206
115„573
118,'i.38
81, .595
71,603
Average A-^
mount ct tons #
annually built J^ 97,011
l(ir the Byt'ars 1
ending 1805. J
Year,
1806
1807
1808
1809
1810
1811
181'^
1813
Ships.
606
629
455
448
501
597
870
760
Tonnage
58,772
58,161
46,8.59
51,248
68,281
88,121
115,630
94,198
Average A-
niount of tons
annually built V. 72,658
for the 8 years
ending 1813.
Average of the 25 years, ending 5th Jan. 1813, viz. Ships 868.— Tons 76,63$.
An Estimate of the Quantity of Oak Timber annu-
ally USED FOR ALL MARITIME PURPOSES IN GrEAT
Britain, viz.
Loads.
For the building of new merchant ships, the tonnage
of which, instead of 7G,6:)3 tons, which appears,
from the above statement, to be the average amount
built yearly for the last 25 years, I shall, for the
sake of round numbers, state at 80,000, which, at
one load per ton, is *-------- - 80,000
For repairing merchant ships t ------- 10,000
For the supply of his Majesty's dock-yards - - - 40,000
Loads - 130,000
• Coiisideiuig that this estimate is made in ref'eienci? to Quebec oak, wiiich is,
in genernl, die-sqiiaro, and not under twelve inches upon the side, a load per
ton 's more than equal "o the qmmtity requisite.
t With the timber obtained iro.ubroken-up ships, 10,000 loads, will con-
stitute a sufficient quantity for repairs
y2
i
.12*
Appt^axiiii,
\i
III
t
\r
.1
k
No. 8.
A Statoincnt of the rapid Tncrriise ofthc Employment which British-
tflv •<-cfiv«''' ("m in our Anu'iicnii Proviiicos, vi/.
Shi
»»>s M l\'<
Amount ot the tuniui^c uii-
riiii<ll V ciciired oiif trom (jnc
(i<:c .-.nice the year 1797.
Year.
Number
of Ships
1797
B7
rrw
73
1799
l'J.5
180rt
140
laoi
175
IB02
197
180 J
208
f804
1805
173
170
1806
193
ll!07
^808
^809
«39
334
434
661
I'.t'fjisttT
'tonnage.
13.349
11,8*!?
17,941
16,H.?7
32,999
26,493
26,883
S?6,506
33,99<i
42,293
V 0,275
87.82 >
143,893
Aiii.juiit ol ilit' re^isti r loii'
iia)?t! cli'arcd out from llit'
lower ports of the Drilish
>rovinc(:s in liie years 1807
i.t J810.
Year.
1806
1807
1808'
1809
1810
Number
of Ships.
690
671
883
1,132
1,091
Register
Tons.
96, Wl
87,543
119,298
148,739
166,101
Gross amount of
tlie res;istCT tons
cleat <1 out from
our North-Ame.
rican provinces
124,J47
129,846
189,573
236,564
309,994
Estimate of the Amount of the Freights of the Exports from our
American Provinces in the Years 1806 and 1810 respectively,
sUewiiii; the Increase in tho course of these four Vrars.
Amount oi' tiic register tonnage
of ships cleared out from Quo-
bee in 1806. - - 33,996 a ^8 per ton,
Ditto, ditto, in 1810, 143,893 a ditto - -
Amount of tiie remister tonnage
cleared cut from the ports
of tlie Lower Provinces in
1806, - - - - 90,251 a ditto - -
Ditto, ditto, in 1810, 166,101 a ditto - -
.J'otal amount oftliefreiglitsofthe exports from
the Ijiitish American Provinces m 18U6 -
Total amount of the freiglits of llie exports from
our Brill.sh American Provinces in 1810
Freichts in
1806.
271,968
722,008
993,976
Freiphts ia
1810.
1151,144
1,328,808
2,479,952
s.
N. ]i. According to the above statement, tlie ii^crease of freights from Quebec
in the four years endiVig in 1810, was- ------ ^b79,176
Ditto, ditto, from the Lower Provinces in 1810, was - - - 606,800
Total increase in tlie four years ending in 1810* ^1,485,976
* Tliis incrtusc in tlie course of these four years exceeds the whole earnings
of British ships in all our trade to tlie East ladies and China.
ch Rrilish
e», vi/.
amount of
^ister tons
uiit from
Drth-Amt!
MTuvinces
!9.846
J9,673
i6,564
)9,y94
from our
iectively.
ars.
>iglits in
1810.
M44
5,808
),952
0111 Quebec
879,176
606,800
,48.), 976
: earnings
APPENDIX.
325
No. 9.
Tke pxtentive and iniproveable Resources of British Ame-
rica, oxhibitid by aCJompurattvt; SlutviUiontot' th<< Amount
of ruiinati:e cttiareW uut from tb<' I'orln of tiie^u Culuiiies,
and the Un'led States, respectively, viz.
f ■ I
( Htii'tU (>i4t upon un avtn.ge oj three yt^ars, ending 1772, viz. I
i'KMII lIU' CulUlllCI Wllicti ItH'lu.,
ui.il iiutv toriu the Luitcd Stut:)
For Great Bri-
tuiu.^ - - -.
For the West-
Indies - - •
Ships,
Tons.
&ib\ U1,9jJ
2,5!97 111,939
Total
Total
iiiiiuiinl
of Ton
mii'e.
19:1,890
Jtoiii the loyal Colonitt which now
cotisiiiiiU; llw Hriti-h [(I'lvimrs.
For Great Bri-
tuiii - - - -
I'or the VVfsl
•indies - -
Shiiw.
Tons
250
16
9^ai.'
73.')
Total
Total
lllllOUDt
i>i Ton-
nage.
10„S17
Anioi;nt of lonnaue cleared out from the British provin
CCS for (ireat Britain, the West Indies, 6i.c. in 1810,
(being no less tluiii about 30 limes the aiiinunt cleared out
in 177:*)
i)»' iii'.'t the dinomit cleared out from thecoUmies wliici
we tost, atiQ that now form the United States -
Ships. Tons.
1,752
Ton;
309,994
190,890
1 l(i,l(>4
Thus it appears, that the toima«;e of the exports, from llie
if rovinces which we now possess in America, ejtveei/s that of
J the exports which were made fr(»m the colonies which we lost,
■ at the commencement of the late American war, no less than
116,104 to* <, — a mo.st convincing proof of how much more
\ consequence our present [)()ssessions, in that country, are to
\ u» now than wiiat thoiie wliich we lost were to us at the time
^ they revolted.
• \
326
APPENDIX.
\'
P
u
a
hi
i
i,- ^/
u
IM
!:^
•^1 «i
i ; . ! '
u ■ 4
ii* !
i i
I
i?
li-
No. 10.
The Importance of British America, exhibited by a compa-
rative Statement of the Imports which Great Britain has
received from these Provinces, and the United States re-
spectively, viz.
Imported upon an average of six years, ending 1774.
From the coloiii -s wliicli revolted
and now constitute llie United States.
^1,752,142
From tlic loyal colonies which now
constitute, the British American pro-
vinces.
^12:, 372
In 1807.
From the United States, being the
year pr':ceding the restrictions im-
jwstd by the American government,
and therefore amongst the greatest of
our imports from that country.
^6,531,410
From the British provinces.
^2,886.542
In 1808.
From the Unittd States.*
From the British provinces.
^4,060,605. t
In 1809.
From the United States.*
From the British provinces,
^4,708.824 t
In 1810.
From the United States.*
I
From the British provinces.
^5,300,490.t
* The reitrictire and hostile measures of tiie American government have
intrrnii)(ed any importations beinj; received direct from that country since
1807, except by licence; the amount of these, liowcver, have been but
tritlinp sjiire that period.
t See remarks upon No. 2.
a compa-
iritain has
States re-
1774.
es which now
nierican pro-
ovinces.
rovmces.
rovinces.
tt
rovmces.
vernnient have
country since
ave been but
APPENDIX.
327
[No. 10, continued.]
Thus it appears that the value of our imports from these
colonies, in 1810, amounts to upwards of an eighth part of the
average value of the gross amount of our imports from all
parts,* and nearly equal in point of value to the East-Indian
and Chinese produce and manufactures which we import.
This statement, therefore, exhibits a very interesting view of
the trade of our American provinces. The vast importance
of this valuable branch of our commerce will be seen in
the clearest point of view, however, by observing that more
than half the value of these imports is derived from the earn-
ings of British ships.
Although, in point of value, our imports from the East
Indies and China, and from our British North American
provinces, may be about equal ; yet they differ greatly in
favour of the latter, in point of the national advantages, which
we derive from our trade with these respective colonial
establishments. Three or four ships may import, of the
riches of India, to the amount of a million sterling : — but to
import, to the amount of a million of lumber, from the Cana-
das, an immense fleet of ships, manned with hardy sailors, —
our own countrymen, must be employed ! !
* 'JTie average value of our imports, for the last ten years, amounts tt>
aboui ^38,000,000, exclusive of tliusc from Irelaiid.
W
>
i '
i H
328
Api»KNDrx.
I:
' V
I
\
'•? di
i.
I'. *
ir,
No. 11.
Tlio jrront '.md r.j|)i<llyincn'asi«isr Drniand from BHlisli America
forUrilisli Maimfsu tmcs, rxhihiUMl b> a <M>nij»aialiv(' Slato-
inenl oi the \'iiUir of our Ia)m»iIs Io IIk- I'liittni Slates,
and lo our •\iiH'ii(.';ui (\<l<.iiu ^ K^spov'li' ( !> , vi/.
r
jMporfai upon on avi'rni:;c of t fine i/cdrs, indiiiii; in 177 4.
r NIT I- I) SlAI FS.
1(1 the- foltiiiics \vlii('l> rc-
vollcd, ami now consliliiir
the I'liitod Stulcs - - -
nniTisn i'novrN'rrs.
To llu' liiyal coloiiiis wliicli
now ctiiistilufe tlu- Bii1l-.Ii
AiiKMii'uii jirnviiicos -
£
.•!70,lll
'Exported in 1807.
!
11,8fl4.,'>1.S
To the British fVovinCK*
l,7ir,9'J8
Ex|Kiil(>d in 1808.
I'o ihc United States alioiii
5/241,731'
To tlie British provinces*
>,354,44a
Exported ni 1809.
To lliu l' ailed States t
lo the Britisli provinces*
;>,579,748
Exported in 1810,
To the United St.ites.t
To ihc Bi itish provinces*
■>,510,54'1
• AIkiui j[ 0,000.000 ol ihcst liavc been lor \h^^ I'liitt-d States. See ho. 2.
t From llu ojieraiion ol the Anicriean embargo and noii-inlereourse iiica-
• jres lew exports were or ceuld be made to the States in ihcp two^ears.
APPEMDIX.
320
£
[No. 11, rontinuod.]
Tliis slatniicnt ofthr imiount of produce and inRnufac-
lures <>xpoil«'d lo our North Amcritan colonies, in the ab-
sence of oHicivil doenmPinls, is estimated upon the truest
principles which couM he adopted, namely, the amount of
the exports from Hiese coh)uies, as slated ui the observations
upon No. 2. From a comparison of the relative value of
their 4'xporJs and iinptuts, made, at the periods as above
stated, with tliose of other countrJt>s »imilarly situated, or,
even with Ihc trade of these provinces at i(>rmer periods, it
will be found, fr<»ni the propositions stated, and iuferencei
drawn in makinfj; this statement that our exports to these
parts must be considered rather under than over-rated.
The imports of British produce and manufactures, &c,
into these settlements, in IHOO, was ,£1,457,588, and, in
1810, £5,510,544, an increase of upwards of one-third of
tlie greatest of any one year's demand from the United Slates,
and aboui lliree limes the amount annually exported to our
vast possessions in the East Indies.*
This increase hasno doubt been partly for the supply of
the United States. This circumstance, however, does not
lessen the importance of these colonies ; but, on the con«
trary, increases their consequence, by shewing that the
American government have it not in their power to prohibit
our manufactures. This commercial facility, afforded us by
the local situation of these proviiices, proves ♦he vast impor-
tance of which the possession o( Louisiana and the Floridas,
from their commanding siluatioo, would be to the British
nation in this re^pect.
• Tilt' averaue aiiu;uiit of lirili^ili proc'uce and inaniifacturcs, aiuiually
ixpcrted IVoni this country, to the Knst Indies and Cliiaa, from 1800 to
1810, was^l.'JlB.W,^ ; and we arc informed, Irom the best authority,' that
no increase ia this deiuand need be expected.
{«t«^.
t|-,.,v
n
H'-
t
'*i:
) r- »■
' »;
,i 1
I I
:lf:
i 1
t
I I
V
330
APPENDIX.
No. 12.
BRITISH IMPORTS.
Value of the Imports made into Great Britain, in the Years I
ending the 5th January 1804, 1805,
1806, 1807, 1808,
1809, 1810, 1811, 1812, and 1813, viz. 1
FoHF.ir, N
EastIn-
Years end-
ScCoLONiAL Irish
DiAN and
Total amount
Computed
ing the atli
produce. Produce.
Chinese
of the official
real \ aiue.
January.
Ollicial value.
Official valur.
produce.
value.
£
£
£
£
£
1804
21,643,577!'
23,986,896 ' '
Including
6,348,887
27,992,464
.___
1805
Irish produce.
5,2li,62l
29,201,517!
44,>'^'^,(j'.t7
1 806
21,292,870
2,97C,5i'3
6,072,160
30,344,628 j4?.99-..i 'ill
1307
21,841,00.5
3,248,; 31
3,746,771
28,33.5,907)
44,6 li.! 5
1808
21,9.58,382
3,491,767
3,401, .509
2t*.854,6.58
37,48.'-;,4''6
1809
19,869,7i?J
3,910,981
5,848,649
':9,ev9,353'
5M3j,yo3
1810
26,933,625
3,475,759
3,363,025
33,772,409-
1311
33,146,975
3,280,747
4,708,413
41,136,13,>|
1812
21,201,450
3,313,979
4,106,251
58,626,5601
1813
19,443,574
Not yet made
up.
Ditto.
Pino
1
23,131,807
4,756,698
30,932,627
i
,42,336,943
Average ol'
>
i
the official
J
Average of
value.
> 1
1804 to
1
1809.
From the above official statement the value of our imports,
exclusive of those received from Ireland, the real value of
which amounts to about c^ 4,500,000, may be computed to
be about £ 38,000,000.
According to No. 17 there appears to be 1,433,950 tons
of shipping employed in the carriage of these imports ; and
reckoning the freights or gross earnings of these ships at
<£9 per ton register, it appears that of this .£38,000,000
€12,905,554 has been made up of freight, \iz.
F.;rned by British ships, £801,408 a £i) per ton, £7,212,672
Kiirned by foreign ships, £632,548 a ditto, £5,692,i>32
£12,90,':,'>04
Of this €7,212,672, earned by British ships, nearly
.£2,500,000 has been in the trade witii our North-Aniericaii
< olv/iiies.— .See remarks on No. 2.
|i:i
r
212,672
002,932
nearly
mericau
APPENDIX.
331
he Years
7, 1808,
No. 13.
BRITISH EXPORTS.
Comouted
real y alue.
£
i-i4,6i.?. .',5
4'2,336,9i3
Average of
1804 to
1809.
imports.,
value of
puted to
)5G tons
rts ; and
ships at
000,000
Value of the Exports made from Great Britain, in the Years j
ending the 5th January, 1804, 1805,
1806, 1807, 1808,
1809, 1810, 1811, 1812, and 1813, viz.
British pro-
Totai a
Years end-
duce and
Foreign and
Irish product
mount of
ing the 5tli
maiuiCac-
colonial raer-
and manufac-
ihe official
Real value.
January.
tiM-es.
chandizc.
ture.
^raluc.
£
£
£
£
£
18^4
22,252,027
9,526,468 )
Including
J1,.57R,495
51,109,131
1805
2.5,935,79.3
10,575,.574 S
Irish produce.
J4,451,367
53,028,881
1806
25,004,3J7
9,552,423
398,085
i4,954,845
'50,482,661
1807
27,402,685
8,789,368
335,131
J6,.527,t84
,49,969.746
1808
25,171,422
9,105,827
289,322
54,566,.57l
66,017,712'
1809
26,691,69^
7,397,901
464,404
34,554,267
1810
3.5,104,1,3^'
14,680,514
502,244
>0,286,900
1811
34,923,575
10,471,941
474,343
1-5,869,859
1812
24,131,734
7,975,396
.302,541
32,409,671
1813
31,243,362
11,508,673
489,.506
43,241,541
■
Average.
27,586,075
9,938,408
406,944
,37,844,0-
4,122,626
Average of
1804 to
1809.
'i'i
'ivr
■^i^l-^
' Jl
. # i J
332
APPENDIX.
No. 14.
AMERICAN SHIPPING.
A Statement of the Amount of the Tonini^e of American
Sln'ps, exclusive of Ships of War, shi-uinii' the imiuense
Increase which it has experienced from the SLuriiue
which the British Government mac'e of the Rights, ami
Privileges, of our Ship-Owners to the United States, t
Ii: the Year
.
1790
1800
Ffom Oct. 180 j
to April, 1808 ^
being two jears & \
half. i
Value of'Expcit
ji'oii.^ ot .S'jipi'iii
owned b^ (lif
L'liiied hiaiis.
DoHai '.
1(),00(> '0
95,000,000
•118,750,000
4.10,000
p;«,;)oo
* 1,433,00.)
* 1,911,250
Nunihtr of
Seuiiirii.
27.000
* 86,848
* 116,760
Amount of the tonnage of the Anicnoan sliipping in 1 803,
exclusive of ships of war -----------
Amount of the tonuage of British sh'"«piii^ in 1608, exdusiTe
of ships of yi&t, and those employed m the iransport-service,
Amount which the Ambhican tonvace eniiiioycd m
trade exceeded that of the WHOLE Uritish sniii-iN
owned u: ^.808, exclusive of that empigycd b_y government
nt3
Tons.
1.911,250
1,815,^! '30
95,890
Those of the «bove numbers which are distinguished with
tn * are not from official documents, but calculated in that
ratio of increase which the preceeding years indicate. Indeed,
considering the very thriving state of the American shipping in
1805, 180(>, and the beginning of 1807, I have no doubt it is
rather under than over-rated.
In the above estimation, titere is oRly 120>,000 tons of &bip-
ping and 7,200 seamen added for the addition of Louisiana to
the United Slates. But, from the shipping actually owned by
this newly -acquired territory, and the ships which were built
in the Slates in anticipation of this new source of commerce,
the American shipping must have, no doubt, received a much
greater addition from this French transaction than the amount
which 1 have stated.
t See tlie observitious concerniiU ilnir iiitcrcinirse witii o\ir VWst-
liniifin Scttlemcnis,— on the opening of out colonies to their ships iu general, — •
and on the ilitfereuf eliectt produced by the operatiou ol llieir and our conn-
lervailing duties.
APPENDIX.
333
No. 15.
>7.000
J6,B4a
16,760
1,911,2 50
L,815,:3'30
95,890
led with
in that
Indeed,
pping in
fubt it is
)f &hip-
Isiana to
med by
re built
limerce,
]a much
■amount
Gross Amou!;t ov the Tonnage op British Merchant
Shipping.
The Number of Vessels with the Amount of their Tonnage
and the Number of Men m\d Boys annually employed in
Navigating the same, which belonged to the several Ports
of the British Empire,— to the Colonies as well as to the
British Islands, on the 30th Sej)!. 1803, 1804, 1805,
180G, 1807, 1808, 1809, 1810, 1811, and 1812, via.
Years e.iding 30 Sq>t.
Ships.
Tons. Men. 1
1803
• 1804
18 5
1 1806
1807
1808
1809
1810
1811
1812
19,828
20,713
20,984
21,106
21.192
21,543
21,951
22,.577
22,973
22,996
2,108.990 '
2,210,508
2,','26,636
2,2(»B,1 69
2,224,720
2,265.360
2,307,189
2,367 ,.'3 94
2,41.5.619
2,421,695
148,600
1 1^8,598
l.>?,642
150,940
152,658
151,781
155,038
158,779
157,063
159,710
Average fov the last 2
teii>eai3 - - J
21,586
2,227,658
153,580
Amountof our shipping in 18GC>, as stated ahove, thai period
being the commencement of the interruption of our usual
commercial intercourse with the United States - - - .
Deduct 450,000 tons, which may be about the amount em-
ployed b_y go\erinnent in the transport-service, &c. - - -
Gross amount owned and employed for commercial and all
other pur{>oses, (except in the service of govcnuiiont,) both
at home and abroad, — ni coasting, fialiing, I'oreigu traie,
Kc. he. throughout the empire - - ... 'iVus
Tons.
2,265,360
450,000
1,815,360
Ir WVst-
:neral, —
lir cuun-
i_L
334
APPENDIX.
:■!
No. 16\
SHIPPINO ANNUALLY FATI RFl) INWARDS.
The Number of Vessels, with the Amount of their Tomiage, |
and the Number ol
Men and Boys employed in navigating 1
the same, (including their respective Voyages,) which en- |
tered INWARDS at t
le Ports of Great Britain from all 1
Parts of the World, including Ireland, the Ishind» of
Jersey, Guernsey, and Man, and the Whale Fishe-
ries, Ac. in tlie Years 17JK), 1791, 1792, 1799, 1800,
1801, 1804, 180
r>, 1808, 1807, 1808, 1809, 1810. 1
1811, 1812, and 1813: viz. 1
ar
BRITISH
FOREIGN.
o o-c
liiiding
5th Ja-
o Joy Ji
1
auar^ .
1790
Ships
Tons.
Men.
Siiips.
Tons,
Men.
13 c 'C ■''
^ r; u .-«
c 5 o ~
12,141
1,423,376
2,321
277,599
1 ,700,975
1791
12,494
1,452,498
2,686
321,684
1,774,182
1792
12,0;50
1,587,645
2,477
304,07^
1.891,719
1799
10„>17
1,575,169
3.012
476,596
2.051,765
1800
10,496
1,379,807
5,512
763,r36
'2,I43.«43
1801
10,347
1,378,620
5,497
780,155
2,158,775
1804
11,996
1,614,365
93,00-1
4,252
638,0,>4
53,660
:2,252,.399
1805
10„50H
1,395,387
82.979
4,271
607,299
30,744
2.002,686
180()
11.409
1,494,075
87,148
4,515
691,703
34,719
2,185,778
1807
I2,ll''
1,482,412
88,963
3,792
612,800
31,346
2,095,212
1808
1809
ii.yi.'j
1,436,667
84,997
4,087
680,144
32,448
2,116,811
11,316
1,314,241
82.754
1,925
«82,892
15,512
1,.597.I33
1810
l'2,6b6
1,. 539,573
95,796
4,922
759.287
38,285
2,298,860
1811
13.5.57
1.609,588
102,900
6.876
1,176,243
60,094
2,78.5,8.S1
1812
12,908
1,.&22,692
94,740
3.21(i
687,180
34,1.57
2.209.872
1813
13,869
1,579.715
96,371
2,536
51C,443 25a519|
2,098,159
Aver-
12,154
1,498,872
90,965
4,039
665,403
25,648
i
'2,164,274
1804.
* *
RECAPITULATION.
Total amount of British snirs annually eiitcod inwards in 1
our trade with forelEu p.ius, upwards of onc-lliird of which has J-
of late been in the trade with our jS'or<^h-Aiiierican colonies - J
Foreign ships annually entered >nward.s in our trade willi foreign )
parts .-.--..--_.- J
Tons.
798,872
66.5,402
Tons 1,463,274.
Amount annually, ent'-red inwards from Ireland, Jt;r,sey, Guernsey,) 7nn 000
and Man, and the Whale Fisheries, about - ji '
Gross amount, annually entered inwards, upon an average of the last
ten years, as above
- Tons
5 2,1
64,27*
Tonnape,
lavigaling
tvliich cn-
from ALL
slandi of
E FlSHE-
>9, 1800,
9, 1810,
660
744
719
U6
448
51 '2
285
094
,1:)?
,519
o o c
c
31. or,—
1, 700,97 «>
1,774,182
l,f)91,719
:f,o:»i,765
'i>,l4S,043
2,158,775
2,252,;>99
i?,0()2,f,86
2,185,778
2,095,212
2,116,811
1,597,1:33
2,598,860
2,785,8S1
2,209,872
2,098,15?
,648
2,164,274
Tons.
in >
has [. 798,87a
|S"| 665,402
ons 1,463,274
*y' \ 700,000
ast I
IS 5 2,164,274
APPENDIX.
335
No. 17.
SHIPPING ANNUALLY CLEARED OUTWARDS.
The Nuinher of Vr^se
Is, with
the Aujouiit of
their Tonnage
and the Numl>er of
Men em
ploye«l
in navig
atin^ ttie same,
(includini{theirre^»eateu Voyages,) w
hieh cleared oiTWAHDs |
at
the Ports of Great liiiiTAiN
to all
t^ARTS OF 1 HE
World, including
Ireland, the Island
s of Jeusey,
Guernsey, and M
[an, and thr Wuale-F
LSHERIlvS, Ac.
m
the Years 1790,
1791, 1
792, 1799, 1800, 1801, 1804,
1805, 180G, 1807,
1808, 1809, 1810, 1811, 181-J, and |
1H13: viz.
1
Years
BRITISH.
FORELGN.
^> O -T.
= •£09
eiuling
5th Ja-
J 5 . J .
nuary.
Sliips.
Tons.
Men.
Ships.
Tons.
3reii.
-3 3'^^
3 3 iz
1790
12.560
1,399,233
1,130
148,974
1,. 548,207
1791
13,514
1,511.294
1,306
184,729
1 ,696,02.31
1792
13,391
1,56.3,744
1,138
175,.'>56
1,739,300
1799
11,085
1,302,551
2,292
414,774
1,717,325
1800
11,866
1,445,271
4,893
685,051
2,130,322
1801
10,282
1,345,621
5,626
804.880
2,150,501
1804
11,072
1,444,840
92,943
3,662
574,54V
30,414
2,019,382
1805
11,131
1,463,286
93,748
4,093
587,819
30,507
2,051,1.35
1806
11,603
1,494,968
94,388
3,9.30
605,641
30,9 If
2,100,609
1807
! 12,239
1,485,725
94,573
3,457
567,988
29,616
2,0.'>3.713
1808
11,428
1,424,10;)
89,715
3.846
631,910
31.411
2,0.56,013
1809
11,923
1,372,810
89,632
l,89i^
282,145
15,671
1,6.54,955
1810
12,490
1,531,152
192,5.3
4,530
699,750
37,256
2,230,90ii
IBM
13,092
1,624,274
107,724
6,641
1,138,527
60,870
2,762,841
1812
12,774
1,507,3.53
96,739
3,350
696,234
37,262
2,203,587
1813
14.328; 1,66.'>,.578
105,00 i
2,647
540,902
27,841
2,206,12(
9^
u
12,208
1,501,408
105,898
.3,804
632,548
33,175
2,133,956
RECAPnULATION.
Total amount of British ships annually cleared outwards in our ^
trade with ioroign parts, upwards of one-third of which hat of S
late been in the trade with our Nortli-Ameiican coloines - - J
Foreign siiips annually clea;ed outwards in our trade with foreign ^
parts i
Tons.
801,408
632,548
Carriod forward
Tons 1, •133,95''
336
APPENDIX.
' I'f:
d I
I ■
ii i 1:
■•>
I
!|1'
{,
Brouj^ht lorwurd Tons 1,\yhO!i6
Amount nnmmlly rlcnred outwarrl lor Irrlniul, Jersey, Guern-
sey, and Mau. ami tli«i VVlialc Fisherns, about - . - - .
\
TOO.OOO
Gross amount annually cleared outwards, upon nn averaije of t^*^ ^ y j. •< qca
last ten years, as above -.-- Tons j ' ' '• "
t
Thus it appears, that, of the pjross amount of 'Ilie ton-* |
nage of British ships cleared outwards and entered inwards,
in our trade with all parts of the world, (except Ireland,
Jersey, (ruernsey, lie Isle of Man, and the whale fisheries,)
being 801,408 tons, 250,000 to 300,000 tons (no less than
the enormous proportion of one-third) has been of late in
the trade with our North American provinces.
It is, nevertheless, accessary here to observe, that, as there
are considerable exports made from our North-American
colonies to our West-Indian settlements and foreign countries,
the amount, therefore, of tonnage cleared outward and en-
tered inwards in our trade direct to these provinces, do not
altogether shew so large a pioportion as I have here stated.
By minutely investigating the subject, however, it will bo-
found that our Custom-house entries and clearances do not
indicate the full extent to which our shipping is supported in
the trade with our setllenienls in North America.
Regarding the tonnage which is cleared out from the ports
of our North-American provinces to our West- Indian settle-
ments and foreign countries, these provinces must, with refer-
ence to the proportionate amount of our tonnage employed in
foreign trade, which they support, in justice be put to
their credit, luu- it is to be observed that British ships are
only employed, and therefore were these exports not macle^
it is evident we must employ proportionably a smaller amount
of tonnage.
For instance, it sometimes happens that ships are cleared
out from this country to the West Indies to take [pro-
II i
I-
!■
APPF.NDIX
337
I roo.ooo
<liK'o from our s« iHoniciilh Huto to Qii(l)rc for otln-r }>urts
of our |»ro\incc.s in Norlli Aiucricii,) and Cauudiiui pro-
(Incr from tlirucr back to tli«> VVt'sl liidirs, and llirn West-
India produro to (iieat Hrilain.
Now, alllioniili, in tlir list of ships cleared ontwarda
and entertd inwards in the trade of this country, none of
sutli vessels appear cleared out for tlie British Norlh-
Ainerican pnninces, yet such ships as evidently receive
eni))loynienl from the exports made from and the imports
niad<' into these provinces, as if they had been <'h'ared cmt-
wards and entere«l inwards upon voyages direct between Iheui
und (ireat Urilain.
Supposing that a voyage direct to the West Indies and
back should be six inontlis, and that its beini; exten<led to
Quebec, as above, should Icnylhen it to twelve,* and that Ibc
freight for each of tiiese parts of the voyage should be £9
per tor» ; in that case the ship would have only earned £0
per ton in a trip lo the West Indies and back ; but, in pro-
tracting the voyage to Quebec, her earnings would be £18
per ton. In such cases, although no ships are cleared out
for or entered inwards from Canada, yet it is evident that
that colony is entitled to credit for having afforded employ-
ment to half the aniouiu oi' tonnage so employed.
In estimating, therefore, the extent to which our North-
American colonies contribute to the sup))ort of that part of
our shipping which is employed in foreign trade we must be
more guided by the amount of tonnage which is cleared
out with their exports than by the amount of tonnage cleared
outward and entered inward in our trade direct vvitli these
provinces.
• To extciifl tlio voyage, by goiny to Quibcc as here supposed, instead of
six, it would not adil lo it more than I'uur uioiitlis, although, for the sake
of perspicuity in ehtcldating the point under consideration, I have suppo-
sed the two par;s o( the voyage eijual.
•\
Vi
^
/
y
/A
IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)
.0
145
no
1^ 1^
1^
I.I
18
L25 IIIIII.4 IIIIII.6
Photographic
Sdences
Corporation
4
^
\
qv
\\
''^h
V
6^
23 WEST MAIN STREET
WEBSTER, NY. 14580
(716) 872-4503
[^
338
APPENDIX.
No. '3.
Amount of Fuh exported from the British Coloniet in North America, in the
Yeart 1305, 1806, 1807, and 1808.
iiffMte
1805.
iitlJ.i
V, \
li
I*
From Newfoundland - -
From the other Colonies -
Cwts
1805.
Cwts.
536.860
190,840
1806
1807.
1808.
Cwts
707.967
238,799
Cwts.
536.128
«28,2a9
Cwts,
582.036
248,.^44
727.700
946,766
764,357
830,579
Average exported in these four Yean,
Cwts.
From Newfoundland - 590,748
From the other Colonies 226.603
Gross average of the exports of fish from t'le British Colonies
in North America, in 1805, 1806, 1807, and 1808 - - - 817,351
Deduct the annual demand from our West-Indian Settlements • 456,321
Surplus, for which our Merchants and American Colonists would
have had to find a market, even had they supplied the whole
demand of our West-Indian Pos.sessions - • - • - Cwt. 361,130
A Statement of the average Quantity of Fish imported into our Wett-Indian
Settlements, in the Years 1805, 1806, and 1807, being up to the Com-
mencement of the Restrictions which the Americans imposed upon their
Commercial Intercourse with this Country and her Colonies, distinguishing
the Countries from whence imported.
Cwts.
From the United Kingdom 97,486
From the British American Colonies .-----.-. 170,610
From the United States 188,125
Average amount of the demand for these three years - Cwt. 456,221
Of this demand from our West-Indian Settlements, amounting to 456,221
cwt. it appears that 97,486 has been furnished by the Mother-Country,
leaving 358,735, which ihould have been supplier from our own American
fisheries. But, strange and unaccountable as it may appear, although our
fisheries produced 817,351 cwt. and, from their discouraged state, were
capable of tho greatest improvement, yet the British government encou-
raged the Americans to supply 188,125 cwt. of this 358,735, whilst, from
tlieir impolitic measures, they so cramped this valuable branch of trade
from our American Colonies, that only 170,610 was supplied from our
fisheries in that quarter.
N. B. — The abo»e statements are made out from the following authentic
document :
a06.
807.
)08.
105.
06.
or.
08.
Cwts.
97,486
170,610
188,125
456,221
456,221
Country,
American
lough our
ate, were
It encou-
list, from
of trade
from our
authentic
APPENDIX.
339
( A. )
limate of Q,uxti\als of Fish exported from the Brithh Colonia in North America and
Newfoundland, in the Ytan 1805, 1806, 1807, and 18^)8.
Quintals, or
Cwt. qrs. lb.
1805. Dry Fish - - - Cod - 623.908
Salmon, 17,491, of 5 lb. each = ... 780 311
Herrings, 8,178 boxes, 6 lb. each = - - - 438 12
Fichkd Fiih 57,441 casks, 200 lb. each = - • 102,673 24
Quintals, or Cwt. 727,700 19
806.
Dru Fith --' Cod
Salmon, 17 638, of 51b. each ss - -
Herrings, 10,388 boxes, G lb. each =: .
Pichkd FUh 78,738 casks, 200 lb. each =
804,819
787 1 18
556 2
140,603 2 8
Quintals, or Cwt. 946.766 1 26
807. Dry Fish Cod 631,537
Salmon, 12,6.53, of 5 lb. each --...- 564 3 13
Herrings, 12,666 bores, 6 lb. each =: - - - 678 2 4
Pickled Fish 73,683 casks, 200 lb. each = - - 131,576 3 4
Quintals, or Cwt. 764,357 21
B08. Dry Fith - - - Cod
Salmon, 2,441, of 5 lb. each =s
Herrings, 15.716 boxes, 6 lb. each = -
Pickled Fish 74,942 casks, 200 lb. each =
695,794
118 3 25
841 3 '20
133,825
Quintals, or Cwt. 830,579 3 17
( B. )
nate of Quintal* of Fish impohted into the British West-hidian Islands, in the Yean
^ 1805, 1806, 1307, and 1808.
Quintals, or
Cwt. qrs. lb.
|05. Dry Fish 220,357
lit 986 barrels of 100 lb. each = 880 1 12
PichUd Fish - - . 97,263 barrels of 200 lb. each = - - - 164,755 1 12
Quintals, or Cwt. 385,992 2 24
06. Dry Fish -
In 729 barrels of 100 lb. each = - - -
Pickled Fish - - - 142,264 barrels of 200 lb. each = -
- 268,130
650 3 16
- 254,042 3 1«
Quintals, or Cwt. 622,823 3
07. Dry Fish
In i,281 barrels of 100 lb. each — - - - -
PickUd Fish - - - 116,040 barrels of 2001b. each = - -
239.068
1,143 3
207,214 1
4
Quintals, or Cwt. 447,426 4
08. Dry Fish ----■"""T. """"*'*
In 3,912 bairels of 1001b. each = • • - -
PicUed Fish - - - 112,247 barrels of 00 lb. each ss • -
190,577
3,492 3 12
200,441 8
Quintals, or Cwt. 394,510 3 20
t2
1 M.
(
J
IS.
340
APPENDIX.
( C. )
Comparative Statement of' Fisii (drji and pickltd) rx ported from the British Knrth- Amerit
Ct'loniis and Acujoundlaml to all Parti ; and of Fish (drif and pickled) imi'Ohi ed '"'■
British West Indian Ishmds from the saiii Cnbnies, Newfoundland, the United Kingdi
the United States of America, during the Years 1805, 1806, 1807, and 1808.
ID int
dom.
1805.
Fish eiporfed to all parts from 1
tlu> Hrili^ll Xorth-Americati '
Colonies \ Ncwfouiullaml '
Fisir imjwrtpd from all parts }
into the British West Indicj i
Excess Cwt
Quintals, or
Cwt. qrs.ib.
727,700 19
385,992 2 24
1806.
1807.
341,708 1 23
Quintals, or
Cwt. qrs.ib.
946,766 1 26
522.823 3
423,942 2 26
Quintals, or
Cwt. ijrs.ib.
764,3.57 21
447,426 4
1808.
ccmtnt
I'ORri
Md, a
ir.
Quintals, i
Cwt. qrs,
830,575 3
394,510 3
316,931 17 4.36,268 3
55.
ilio iliifc piecL'dini; stjitinients are made up frotn the Accounts (D. ) and (E ) which \
obtamrd from tiie Cnsloni-Houso, in October. 1809, and when the returni of the cx\
from ilic Kind's North-American Colonies tor the last year are produced, they will .show
comiiotcncy, as well as the exertions of the British American Colonists, in a more conspic
niamicr than in a\iy former year.
London, April 12, 1810.
Printed by order of the Committee of Merchants "J
iiitcre.slcd in the trade and fisheries of his Ma- ^
jcsty's North-Aincricau Colonies - - - - 3
NATHANIEL ATCHESON, Secretary.
06.
(D. )
An Account of dry and pickled Fisii imported into the British West Indies, in the }|07.
1805, 1806, 1807, and 1808.
Fish, Dry,
From
riie United Kinsdom - - - -
I'he British Continental Colonies
riie United States ------
fotal imports of Dry Fish -
180.5.
Bar.
237
501
148
986
Quintals,
2,774
99,532
118,051
220,357
1806.
Bar
365
12
352
729
Quintals.
4,637
113,937
149,556
268,130
1807.
r.lQ
Bar. IQuirtals.
6,910
128,154
105,004
6.36
181
464
1,281
1808
Bar.
4<i
3,194
669
239,068
3,912
Qii
.■)
14
1
19
08.
Fish, Pickled,
From
Ihc United Kingdom - - - -
riie British Continental Colonie.s
I'he United Slates- - - - - -
I'otal imports of Pickled Fish
1805.
Barrels.
•18,829
23,580
24,854
97,263
1806.
1807,
Barrels.
5.5,306
36,741
50,217
142,264
Barrels.
50,.'J86
31, .305
31,319
116,040
180
Bar
54,0
5;3,ti
4,
112,
Cf«TOM-HousE, London, Oct. 20, 1809.
C
(
c
I
c
c
F
>
>
USTO
I the Britiih KnrthAmerk
tickled) iMfOHi ED intu
/, the United Kingdom,
', and 1808.
APPENDIX.
.Til
1807.
1808.
(E. )
ccount of the Quantitij of Dry and Pigki.eh Cod, and of all cUnr Kinds rf Vi^h
I'ORren Jrom Canada, Xovu-Scotia, yew Ihiinsuick, Cape-lintou, frince Edward's
nd, and h'eufoundland, in the Yeart 1805, 1806, 1807, and 1808, distinguishing each
Juiiitals, or
Cwt. u.M.lb.
54,3.57 21
47,426 4
16,931 17
QiiintaU, (
Cwt. qrs,
830,579 3
394,510 3
4.36,268 3
ts(D.) and (E ) which
1 the return! of the cx|
produced, they will shew
lonists, in a more conspic
)N, Secretary.
[)5. Canada - -
Nova-Scotia- - - - - -
New 13 1 u Ms wick- - - ■
Cape-Bittoii- - . - - -
Prince Kd ward's Island
Newloundlund- - - -
06.
tish Wat Indiet, in the 1
1807.
Bar. Quir.tals.
636 6,910
181 128,154
1808
464
1,281
105,004
Bar. Qu
49 ;i
3,194 14
669 1
Total - -
07. Canada
NoTn-Scotia ---...
New Brunswick - - -
Cape -Breton- - - - - •
Prince Edward's Island
Newt'oundiand- - - -
239,068
3,912 1
1807.
Barrt'ls.
.'j0,;)86
31, .'505
31,349
116,040
180
Bar
54,0
53,ii
Total -
Canada ------•■
Nova Scotia- - - - - .
New Brunswick - - -
Capo-Breton
Prince Edward's Island
Newfoundland- - - -
Cod.
i I^ry.
Quintal
1,770
TO.^.V)
8,870
16,.W8
526,380
6J.S,908
l,3lt]
85,4 U)
ii.0i;3
7,872
PckU-.i
Casks.
29,504
437
11
l,SOo
31, 1. ''w
1.527
44.949
240
7
Salmon.
No.
Sm'krd
59(i
16,895
17,491
699,198 1,.S04:
Total - - -
08.
4,3 CusTOM-HousE, London, Oct. 20, 1809.
112,',
Canada --------
Nova-Scotia
New Brunswick - - -
Ciipe-Brcton- . - - -
Prince Edward's Island
Newfoundland- - - - ■
Total - -
804,819
150
87,824
13,654
4,721
.525,188
631, 5a7
48,027
275
51,3.5ii
aOij
7
100
97'.-
16,566
(!asks 1
731 1
I
1,171
3.88'-'
5,788:
3S9
280
4,660
17,638
12,265
800
97,9(>'.^
22,2'M
i 5,034
1569,751
695.79-1
—
—
1,3.3;;
—
5.3,176
12,653
154
42,.567 1
60-1
t;V^'
1,81'-
h87
—
-"
—
Heiirings
.M ACK-
ER EI..
Hoxi-^.
MU'kl'f!
8,178
8,171
10,38f
I
Cask 8. J
53'
1,44(.
I!;, 149
789 i
20,437
('asks.
59
100
!,5:)'-'
19,173
52
59
1,79':
45.2.VS
2,141
2.662
7,961
28
1.538
2,669
4,246
10,388
34(1
1
?,81.M
100
2,2.5;;
5,515
12,66(
1,136
21,993
12,.56ti
! 5.687
ou
1.5,71(
111
13,975
2,080
t6,166
709
;J9
757
92
484
'.'4 8 1
'J0,215!
i;i
2,660
23,62
95
349
44
1.57
.50
i!
mm
n.
i ■»
1
I
) ■
I
L i
u
"1
ii
i
','1
INDEX.
America, thoroughly aware of the value and growing impor*
tance of uur colonies upon her frontiers, shapes her
course accordingly, 8.
, her jealousy and alarm at seeing the immense
extent of her territory along the Canadian frontier just
emerging from a dreary wilderness into a fine fertile
country, excited by her knowing that the whole profits
and advantages to be derived from its commerce must
result to the British, whilst they hold possession of the
St. Laurence, 20.
— — — , the extensive means she possesses for fitting out a
navy, 174.
, a reformation in the abuses in our commercial
arrangements with her a duty which has fallen to the
lot of the ministers of the present day, 292.
, her rapid growth and immense resources, ibid.
, her vast population, 293.
., the enormous increase in her exports, ibid.
, her immense shipping, ibid.
, the vast acquisition of territory she has acquired
without either an army or a navy, but merely by her
threatenings and artful negotiations, ibid.
Americans, their reasons for conceiving this the most favour-
able opportunity ever likely to occur for wresting the
Canadas from Great Britaui, 13.
344
INDEX.
is
u
■I
hi
it
f1»
Americans, the British government at a loss how to rank
them in the list of foreigners, and, in her dilemma,
unfortunately placed theni, in many respects, even
upon a much more favourable footing than either British
colonists, British ship-owners, or British merchants,
05, «().
■ ' — , during our last war with them, almost without
an army, beat us out of the field, and, without a navy,
have ever since awed us into tame submission to the
grossest viohition of our maritime laws, 173.
so much our superiors at negotiation that the
result of all our treaties and commenial regulations
with them have been the injury and sacrifice both of the
British provinces and of the British shipping, 2B2.
American shipping has been reared and supj)orted principally
by a sacrifice of the rights and privileges of British
ship-owners, 174.
' , one of its principal sources of support
has been the exportation ol deals and boards, 177.
amount of (No. 14.) 332.
American independence ought to have secured to our re-
maining American colonies a multiplicity of ])rivilcgcs
and advantages, but, by our impolitic measures, it
was a death-blow to their prosperity, 196.
Agriculture, state of, 52.
, means which would promote the extension of,
to the waste and unsettled lands in Canada, '122.
Agricultural improvements, those of which the land now
under cultivation is capable, 225.
Agricultiual produce, a list of that exported from the
Caiiadas, (No. 1.) 300.
Atcheson, Mr. extracts from his \Collection of Reports, re-
specting the impolicy of opening the ports of our
West-India islands to the ships of the United States,
79.
, regarding the hostile measures adopted by the
United Stales against our commence, 82, 112, 110.
— — , concerning the impropriety of exempting the
Americans from an alien or countervailing duty, &c.
120.
, respecting the propriety of charging a coun-
tei vailing duty equal to thai clmrged by America, 128.
INDEX.
345
Britiftli Nortli-Araerican provinces, their markinn; features
constitute a subject of the most interesting conse-
quence, 2.
■■ - — — . , their important proper-
tics, &c. 11.
I ■ ■ .. , the rapid improvement of,
haH greatly excited the jealousy of the American govern-
ment and urged tiiem on to the present war, 12.
, the geographical position
of, 14.
■ ■ — , the important advantages
which their extended frontier bordering upon the United
States affords to brititth commerce, IB.
their extent of coast
navigable or accessible to snips from sea, greater thaa
that similarly navigable belonging to the United
States, previous to her taking possession of Louibiana,
26.
■ , their fishing coast, &c.
31.
-, their soil, climate, inha-
bitants, state of agriculture, exports, &c. 36.
-, reasons why they have
not hitherto supplied our West-India colonies with
flour, provisions, lumber, Hcc. 92.
-, their extensive, valuable.
and improveable, resources. 169.
-, of greater importance to
the mother-country now than the colonies which she
lost at the conclusion of the last American war was to
her at that period, 172.
-, their capability of sup-
plying the mother-country and her West-Indian posses-
sions with lumber, 180.
— — — — ■ " . ^ .m , American independence
which ought to have secured to them a multiplicity of
advantages, was, by our own impolitic measures, rather
a death-blow to their prosperity, 105.
capable of supplying
our West-Indian seltlenients with flour, bread, grain,
provisions, &c. 190.
-, the most important colo-
nies we possess and therefore are entitled to an adequate
.}
XUt
INDKX.
A \
i ,■ :■
t ■•
»li«iT of I homo mruii!<i which wr posursn for Ihr prolrc-
tioii of onr cnU>nirN in ^(Mirnil, *2'Ml.
Urilinh North- Aiiirnniii proviiirm, Ihrir grout Niiporiorily
<'4>inp>irn( with our Asiatic ponnoHHionM, iUl.
. — ■ - , thrir vhuI importanrr,
from roitHtitiiiitff n d«tor of hcochn hy which our niHiiu-
fiicturcN cHii ho iulro(hic(^l into the Stntcs over h«r moiit
rigid prohihitory inotiHurcK, '295.
Ilriti.sh conuurrcc, tlir grout fuciHticM which it munt roroivo,
from tlic extended frontier hy which our Ameri<'>ni
colonies iind the United >Statos c<»mmunicatc with ench
other, 18.
British government, in miiny ronpocts, hoen actually loginla-
ting in favour of the United States, 7.
— — ' , her meiiHUres hotter calculated to pro-
mote the interests of the Americans than that of her
own colonists, U).
. , lior singular conduct in porsovering in
!ier endeavours to purchase the friendship of the Ame-
ricans hy moan suhmission and concession, 110.
*- merchants insulted hy the Kritish government, hy
i
? I 1 >-
M
being told, at the same tinu' that the Amerit ans had the
ports of our Kast-ludian settlements open to them, that
their being granted the like privilege would endanger
the safety of our whole Asiatic possessions, UU
Canada, reasons why ilic American g<»vernmenl conceived
this the most favourable opportunity for wresting it
from Great Britain, 13.
, geographical position of, 14.
— , the quality of its soil — very superior, 37, — '224.
■ , its climate, 41.
" —-, description of its inhabitants, 40.
— — — , population of, 47.
— , state of agriculture in, i>2.
, acivs of cleared land which it contains, 50.
fc " ■ - , amount of grain produced in, 58.
, principal articles exported from, GO.
, capable of proilucing hemp and flax suflicicnt for
the supply of the mother-country, 230.
*— — — , wherein its danger consits, 238.
, in what its safety consists, ibid.
Canadian cultivators, their attachments to old established
practices might be as easily removed as the local preju-
dices of the people of any other country, 228.
iNiir.x.
:i47
I lie prolrc-
Niipcridrilv
impoHnnrr,
I our niHiiii-
rr li«r itiont
UHt rroeivp,
r Anipriniii
! with ouch
ully lofi;iHla-
atod t» pro-
Ihat of her
rieverinir in
f the Aiiie-
110.
nnirnt, hy
ins had the
them, that
i rndangci
m
roniM'ivcd
wrcstin;; it
?,~-221.
&6.
ifiicicnt for
established
ocal pioju-
|2«.
()anadian!4, Ihrir loyallv and palriotiini or^ifal importaui <' in
the drfcni (• td Hir riinada<«, '240.
CaiMKhan poHsmNJonN, risking; thmi uhnoHt unprotcrird uh
\vr hav<> hitherto done, rahidatcd to rnc.ilr Ihf dinaHtM;-
lioM ol* Ihrir htyal inhahilantK, '21M.
(joant, navigahh' extent ol, *ih.
• — , one of the nioHt iinporlani properties which eharac-
teri/e any counlr>, ihiU.
(JidonieH, the hisn which we suNtained in these hy the hist
American war, orciiNioned hy Ihe exIravaKunI contempt
in which our ^overniucnt h«-id l\w. Annricans an an cue-
my, 237.
Connuerce, British, — the ^real and important fa(;iiilies
which it mnsl receive from the extended frontiers hy
which the British North-Ann-rican coh^nivs connnuni
cate with the United Slates, IH.
, I'rivy-council syHleni of, 142.
Commercial greatness of (ircat Britain derived from the
Huperior exceih>n<'e oi the British constitution, ihid.
('onntervaihu^ didies, the enormous advantaf^es aUowed the
Americans in those charged hy them and us respec-
tively, IIU.
■ " ■ ■ ' ■ , have neither for their object the gene-
ral policy id' the importation of the goocls which con-
stitute the Huhjecl, nor the fund which they furnish, hut
are speciticall)' inlende<l to aflect the ships no a.4 to se-
cure the government charguig them the carriage of the
goods, 120.
•, that charged hy the British government
T2U. per ton, and that hy the American government r/.3
per ton, for the protection of their shiftpiiig respectively,
— a dillerence of :),:30U per cent, allowed in i'avour of
America, 125.
— , ours known to exist only hy emhellish-
iiig an act of parliament, or hy the prominent feature
they formed in a compilation of our custom-house du-
ties : hut the Americans were known to exiht hy their ope-
ration, — by promoting the prosperity of her shipping,
ami crushing ours, 132.
— , British, a Table of, 310.
' , American, a Table of, 3 IB.
. ^ the data by which they were regula-
ted by the British and .\meficans, extremely fa
I
1
548
INDEX.
it
'«,
(:
voiirable to Americu, and proportionably ruinouii to
British shipping;, 3 UK
Duties, United States produce admitted by prorlaination at
the baine rate of, as the produce of our own colonies, 70.
Dou!.<>, Quebec, their dimensions, 175.
■ , the manuiacture and exportation of, from Canada,
of great importance, and capable of great improve-
ment, 170.
Englishmen, humiliating circumstance of their being obliged
to be metamorphosed into Yankies, merely to gain the
confidence of tJie Britisii government, 87.
Enemies produce, the mischit^vous eft'ects of our almost un
limited hnportation of, 15U.
■ ■ ■ ■ , every species of, of which we could ob-
tain sutiicient supplies from our own colonies and
friendly nations ought to be prohibited, 152.
the three classes under which it ought to
be arranged, either for regulating its prohibtlion or im-
portation, 156.
Exports, Canadian, a list of for the last ten years, 300.
, value of, in the years lK<Mi and 1810,
shewing their vast increase in these four years, 304.
— — , value of, from our North-American provinces for
five years, 310.
, to our. American colonies and the United States con-
trasted, 328.
British, to all parts, value of, 331.
Fisheries, those of Labradore, Newfoundland, the numerous
islands in the gulph of St. Laurence, &c. secured and
protected only by the possession of Canada and our
other American provinces, 30.
— ■ " , in British America contribute greatly to our mari-
time power and independence, 3.
Fish, quantity of, annually exported from the British Ame-
rican colonies, 290.
, quantity of, annually exported from Newfoundland, 338.
— ' , <}uantity of, annually exported from the other colonies,
except Newt'oundiand, ibid.
— — , (juantity of, annually consumed in the British settle-
ments in the West Indies, 289.
Flour and provisions carried from the very banks of the St.
Laurence to the ports of the United States, to be
■i\
10U4 to
■tion Ht
ies, 70.
Canada,
iiiprove-
obliged
gaiu the
most un
)uld ob-
ties and
OU!<[ht to
in or ini-
300.
>d 1810,
:104.
nces for
ates con-
lumerous
II red and
and our
>ur maii-
sli Ame-
ind,338.
olonies,
1 settle-
the St.
i, to be
INDEX.
349
.>«iii|>|»ed by Anieiicuii lihipi lo our Wosl-lndian wttle-
iniiits, "liiO.
• — — , tbe ineanti which nii|{ht br rendered rf-
feclual fur drawing a quantity of, from the United.
States hide of ttie St. Laurence, suHicient for the Nupply
of 4.UI- VVc!>(-lndian .settlement:^, and thereby secure the
cairiage of them to our own ships, 219.
Frontiers, th«' exient of, by which the Britisii North-American
proviniesand the United States have now be^un to meet,
upwards of 1200 miles. 'I'hc Kdvuntagesi to be derived
from this circumstance, 20.
Flax, method of cuklivaling it in Canada. Good crops
generally produced, but destroyed hi the management,
00.
, were each farmer in Canada to raise only an acre of, for
exporlution, a <{uantity suliicient to supply the demand
of the mother-country would be thereby produced, 234.
Geographical ^tosiliun of our North-Ainerican provinces, 14.
Government, the lUitish, have not only been countenanced
by the country in general in making sacrifices to Ame-
rica, but ha>e been almost invariably urged en to
further concessions, 287.
Grain, quantity produced hi Canada, 58.
Hemp, failure of the attempts liilherto luade to introduce its
cultivation in Lower Canada accounted for, (J3.
• , failure of the Canadians in their attempts to raise
it, occasioned by their ignorance of the management
of it in particular, and the want of success ot those
who have pretended to instruct them bus arisen from
an ignorance of agriculture in general, 04.
only one acre of, cultivated by each farmer in
Canada, would produce a quantity suthcient to sup-
ply the mother-country, 234.
Imports, of britisii manufactures, &c. into our North-
American colonies, V -lue of, 311.
— — - , British, from all parts, value of. The proportion
of tiiese which is made up of the freight of British
ships, and how much of this Ireight in the trade with
our American colonies, 328.
Indians, the^ neither eateeui us because wo are British,
nor hate our enemies merely because they are Ameri-
cans ; but, as well as civilized nations, mu^^t hue
more solid considerations for their friendship, 241.
k
350
INDEX.
i
! 'i I
%
i\
Indians, the circumstances which secure to us their friendly
alliance, 241, 242.
, the nation greatly indebted to the North-West-
Company for the friendly disposition of, 243.
-, their alliance in the last American war, had it not
been for the culpable ignorance of our negotiators
would have secured to us what now constitues one of
the richest and best portions of the United States, 244.
Lords of the Committee of Privy Council, their observa-
tions regarding the United States, recommending a
proper respect being paid to the laws of the land, and
an observance of the rules adhered to by other nations,
in prohibiting the ships of foreign countries from en-
tering the ports of our colonics, 70, 80.
Lumber, the Americans, restrictions upon their own com-
merce, and Buonaparte's continental system, have fully
convinced us of the capability of our provinces in
North America to supply, not only our West-Indian
possessions, but also the mother-country with that
article, 187.
, the low duty charged in Great Britain upon that
imported from America, has greatly encreased the
American shipping, and proportionably crushed the
growth of ours, 113.
-, the absurdity of our ever having admitted, the
high freight to which that of America, on account of
distance, is liable, as a plea for a diminution of duty,
140.
-, capability of the British North- American colonies
h
to supply the mother-country and all her other colo-
nies with, 180.
^ the increase which the Canadian exports of, ex-
perienced in only four years, equal to the supply of our
West-Indian settlements, 184.
Licensing system, 142.
Licence, destructive effects of our almost unlimited impor-
tations of enemies produce by, 150.
Louisiana, the impolicy of which our government has been
guilty, in allowing the Americans to take possession
of, 248.
, taken possession of by the Americans, in trust for
Buonaparte, 2(t7.
lii
.■?.!
r friendly
)rth-West-
lad it not
legotiators
es one of
ates, 244.
observa-
lending a
and, and
T nations,
from en-
>wn com-
lave fully
vinccs in
?st-Indiai>
with that
ipon that
?as«'d the
ished the
itted, the
count of
of duty,
colonies
lier colo-
s of, ex-
ly of our
impor-
las been
>ssession
trust for
INDEX.
351
Louisiana, its value to us ^r^atly enhanced by its contiguity
with our West-Indian islands ; by the door it would
open for the introduction of our manufactures, both
into the United States and Mexico, 268.
— , by possessing it and the Canadian provinces,
our territory would completely surround the United
States, and thereby place at our disposal the whole
Indian force, by which we could keep the Americans
in check, almost without the aid of British troops, 260.
the act of our taking possession of, would be
attended with so many important advantages to the in-
habitants as would secure their firm attachment to onf
interest, 270.
Manufactures, our exports of, important to the nation at
large, in proportion to their great value, but of com-
paratively small consequence to our ship-owners in
proportion to the smallness of their tonnage, 101.
Marking-features which constitute the essential character
of our North-American colonies, 2.
Ministers allowed America to gain more by negotiation,
in making the last peace with her, than she had gained
by a bloody contest of seven years, 24V.
■ , being at last sensible of the impolicy of further
concession to America began to retract, 288.
have not only been countenanced in making sa-
crifices to the United States, but have been also invariably
urged on to the most mean and submissive concessions
to them, 287.
in attempting to reform the abuses in our trade
with the United States have been assailed both by the op-
position in parliament, who have been the constant ad-
vocates of the Americans, and by the clamour of an
interested party from various parts of the country,
289.
Nova Scotia, geographical position of, 14.
New Brunswick, <!itto ditto, ibid.
^ and Nova Scotia, their principle articles
of export, 70.
Navigable coast of the British North- American province?,
25.
, compared with the coast of the United
States, 26.
Navigation of the St. Laurence and tiir I.nkrs, the advan
taiip to be derived from if, '22.
:1
A
:|
>}
'.(
fri
i ■
■ ^!
iH
1 I
:♦
I. '
i.i
i !1
i
I,
" <
352
INDEX.
NavijB^tion, the principal snurci> from whi'iice fio>vs the
Hches and indt^peridence of nations, 2.>.
Navigation-laws, relaxation of, to the United States, by
openinjy: the ports of our colonies to their bhipK, 7B.
*■■■• ■', the suspension of, by the act of 23 (reo.
*' IFI. c. 39, as far as related to the United States, placed in
the power of the Privy Council, who, by virtue of this
act, have persevered in a shameful system of concession
to the American jjovernment ever since, li).
North-West-Company, the British nation in a 4ireat mea-
sure indebted to that eslabiishment for the friendly
alliance of the Indians, 243.
Negotiators, the enormous sacrifice of the British interest
• made by those appointed to conduct our negotiations
in making the last peace with America, 245.
Oak Timber, quality of, Ac 109.
■ ' ' , (|uantity of, exported annually from Quebec,
300, 309.
, quantity of, used in Great Britain, for all
maritime pur|>oses, 323.
Pine, yellow and red, their quality, &c. 173. • .' •
Quebec, ships built at, the great ditferencc in the quality of,
accounted for, 171.
St. Laurence, the rivr of, must be the channel of the trade
of all that immense extent of American territory upo»
its south banks, just emerging from a difeary wilder-
ness into a fine fertile country, — its importance to Great
Britain on that account, 20.
■ ■ ■ ) the river of, a few of the advantages re-
sulting to Gre^t Britain, from the navigation of it,
and the chain of lakes which it unites, 22.
the natural channel for the trade of all that
vast fertile country upon the banks of it and its lakes,-
nothing snort of the confused and vacillating dis])osi-
tiou of all our concerns in that quarter, as has hitherto
existed, will prevent our reaping the whole profit of the
coumierce of that country, 205.
Ships, Quebec-built, the dillereme in their quality and
the variety of opinions respecting that circumstance
accounted for, 171.
, British, a table shewing the amount of the tonnage
of, annually built in Great Britain, 323.
, the amount of the tonnage of, annually
cleared out from Quebec, for fourteen years, 324.
iNbfiX.
353
M
flows the
tates, l)y
>«, 78.
2» (;eo.
J>Iace(l in
ue of this
oncessicm
vat nwd-
' liicndly
h inierost
gotiatioDS
Quebec,
I, for all
uality of,
he trade
»ry upon
wii(ler-
ti> Great
»,«es re-
n of it,
all that
akes, —
disposi-
^litherto
t of the
ty and
istance
)nnage
nually
9hips, British, the amount of the tonnage of, cleared out
from the whole ports of British North-America, for
five years, its great amount, 324.
Shipping, and commerce, our enormous sacrifice of, to the
United States, 75.
■ • ■ ~ — , American, one of the principal sources of its
support has bceri the exportation of deals and hoards,
177.
■■ — , Amefican, a table shewing the amount of the
tonnage of, which exceeds that of the British merchant
shipping, except that employed by government, 332.
, British, depends principally upon our imports for
support, l91.
, merchant, the gross amount of, 333.
-^ — , a table shewing the amount of, annually entered
Inwards, at the ports of Great Britain, from all parts
of the world ; shewing also, what proportion was from
foreign ports, and how much of this British ; and also,
what proportion in the trade with our American colo-
nics, 334.
— '■ — , a table shewing the amount of, annually cleared
outwards from Great Britain to all [)arts of the world ;
shewing also, what the proportion to foreign ports
announted to, and how much of this cleared out to
foreign ports was British, and, likewise, what propor-
tion of :t to our North-American colonies, ;J35.
, upwards of one-tiiird of all the British shipping
cleared out to foreign parts, supported by the trade
with our North-American provinces, iOid.
Ship-owners, British, the great disadvantage under which
they labour from the high price o^their ships in any
competiljon with foreigners for freight, 163, 320.
Ship-wrights and saihirs, British, by a scheme founded by
American wisdom, foresight, and low cunning, upon
British imbecility and pusillanimity for turning over the
British shipping to America, have been sent to the
United States to build and man the American shipping,
286.
Soil of the Canadas, quality of, 37.
Statesman, tlie subjects with v\ liich he should be acquainted
to enable him to negotiate to advantage concerning our
American colonies, 3.
Staves, Americiui, at this very moment only chargeable at
a' a
nr»4
INDKX.
It
r
r \
\' i
.^i,
oiip-lliinl lii«^ duty wliicli is clinrKod upon tliusc im|mrtcd
iVoiu cniintrirn in ilic .slriclost aniitY ^itli os, 117.
StavrH, Qurhoo, an inipoitaul item of t)ic Canadian exports
of Unnbor, 17J<.
■ ■■ ■ , tlH'lr quality considered, in the London mar-
ket, e<|ual to that oi' those imported iVom Dantzic, ibid.
>, quantity of, exported from Quebec, 17U.
Timber, theh)w duty chargetl in Great Ikitain, upon that
inq)orted from America, has greatly increased the Ame-
rican shipping, and pruportionably crushed the growing
pi-osperily of our own, 1 13,
— , the absurdity of our ever having admitted the high
freight of thai of America is liable, on account of dis-
tnnce, as a plea for a diminution of duty, 14U.
^, capability of the Hritish North-American colonies to
supply the mother-country and all her other colonies
with, too
, Canadian exports of, increased tive-fold in the
course of four years, liV2.
, the increase which the Canadian exports of, txperi
enced in only tour years eipial to the sup|>ly of our
West-Indian seltlemenls, 1H4.
Talleyrand, his description of the fertility and other valua-
ble properties of Louisiana, terms the river Mississippi
the Nile of America, 24}{.
—————, extract from a pamphlet which lie wrote, stimu-
lating the goveinmeul of his country to take measures
for securingf the possession of Louisiana, 249.
Trideut, o\tr government systematically yielding it up, by
mean concession, to the Americans, who, being thereby
encouraged to attcnq)t wresting it from us by force,
have thereby saVed it to us for the present, 280, 287.
I'niteil States government, reasons why they conceived this
the n\ost favourable oppoilunily for wresting the Cana-
thts from Great Britain, lit.
I ■ ^ priHluce of, admitted into (heat Britain at the
same rate of <luties as the produce of our own colo-
nies, 108.
her immense territory, her extensive shipping,
and the vast magnitude and increase of her resources in
general, deserve our serious attention, as weil as the late
oviM grown pouer of Buonaparte upon the continent of
lluroj)e, *21b-0.
mmmftm^
INDEX.
355
(' imported
117.
an cxpnriA
ihIoii iiinr-
itzic, ibid.
170.
upon (lull
llic Ainc-
« growing
Mic liiuh
inl oi' (lis-
olonii's lo
• colonics
1 in the
*, LApcri
y oi our
or valua-
isstssij)pi
\ stiinu-
ineasurcs
up, by
llieicby
y force,
; 287.
ved this
le Cana-
Uiiited States, her sea-coaRt and maritime facuitiefi equal to
those oC France, llolhind, (ierniany, KuHsia, Sweden,
Denmark, and HnsHia, both with respect to extent and
the number of peoph'. bitely employed in maritime af-
fairs, 277 »».
.^^ th<> peoph* «»f, before the commencement of
the present hostihties, have been by our government
put npon a more favonrabh* footing with us than our
true and faithtui ('iuiadian cohuiisis, whose bh)od and
treasure were and are at this very moment chearfiilly
sacrificed to the salvation of our Canadian provinces'
2B0.
West-Indian colonies, reasons why our American provinces
liave not hitherto snj)plie<l them with flour, lumber,
cVc. «2.
Wist Indies, British settlements in, a table shewing their
annual demand for liunber, (lour, fish, provisions, A« .
uiid by whom furnished, — by whose ships carried, and the
diminutive jiroportiftn <arried by British ships, 321.
vity. r,Nr».
n ut the
ni colo-
npping,
lUces ill
the late
iicnt of
k
\-
■ i
»«
r.il&
.1>'5in;a
^Tiirkiir ji> iff g*' ^y Viaii»<»MWi.irfc>ji n^iniWW ■ !!■' ■
t;j'ib'>/;''. (r.'^ii-fl .;;««*•»■« •> ^l>ih.}itfU ,'j.>?it;« »•• -ii^'i' -
liM lii^;. .:i <".:.' ,U\' huh ^!^^■l3Ju/i; =», u-* i; j...«{Jii Jj'ij;
• •!! X.; r,' -^iiis '.1 •.
•; -O J ) tl U - .
I 1 I . i "
ijui' ,if'.-;nft'i» fiJ/-. r,; ('.if/ •
vi' i.l ifV'Mlv; u bin.
■ fl'W ^
MM
^^
Marchant and Galabki, Printers, Ingram-Court, L«ndoiiu
l''^< '
■ ii Hn» .«Jt.., ,„
•*o^ mil
iKts: ill. it
T
■ i.v :> . » ; i
"#
./7 h>,.
nduit.